The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
The Vinyl Pulse, is a weekly snapshot of what is selling on the big vinyl machine called eBay. This is a great way to keep your eyes peeled for a specific record and what you might have to pay for it to obtain it.
CollectorsFrenzy lists the top 25 real time ended auctions and the selling price for the collectible vinyl and is updated daily.
Top 10 Items for 04/04/2012
1. EXCLUSIVE LP SAMMLUNG 1.000 x 12" Beatles STONES Tull WHO Pink Floyd Deep Purple Sold Price:$2977.56 USD End Time:04/04/2012
2. SCHALLPLATTENSAMMLUNG Klassik Jazz Funk Disco Megapaket 5000 Stück
Sold Price:$2307.65 USD End Time:04/04/2012
3. MIKE TAYLOR TRIO"PENDULUM" TOP COPY
Sold Price:$2003.53 USD End Time:04/04/2012
4. Bach Sonatas&Partitas violin PATRICK BISMUTH STIL TEST PRESSING LIM 3 ! SIGNED ! Sold Price:$1330.22 USD End Time:04/04/2012
5. Led Zeppelin, In Through the Out Door Lacquers Box Set
Sold Price:$1125.00 USD End Time:04/04/2012
6. David Bowie EXTREM RARE promo Vocalion Liza Jane 1964 vinyl 7" collector
Sold Price:$1122.85 USD End Time:04/04/2012
7. Joy Division, Sordide Sentimental, Licht Und Blindheit
Sold Price:$1073.17 USD End Time:04/04/2012
8. Nirvana bleach red & white splattered wax numbered 159/500 cobain rare grunge
Sold Price:$948.62 USD End Time:04/04/2012
9. Schallplatten Sammlung POP Rock 295 Alben LP Bestzustand Vinyl
Sold Price:$917.48 USD End Time:04/04/2012
10. Diverse Skinhead LP ´s Onkelz Sparrer Kennedys ROR SK NR I S 25 Stück Punk Oi
Sold Price:$873.70 USD End Time:04/04/2012
DEAR JERRY:I enjoyed your recent write-up on “Skokiaan,” a former No. 1 hit you don't hear played anymore.
It leads me to ask if, say over the past 70 years, there were two or more consecutive No. 1 instrumentals?
While you're at it, what are the most consecutive chart-toppers by females, either solo or by a girl group?
—Rusty Montclair, De Pere, Wisc.
DEAR RUSTY: Not many instrumentals reached No. 1, period.
From 1941 to present, the annual average of No. 1 instrumentals is just .457. That's less than one every two years. Two in a row is only slightly more common than centennials.
Only once in the past 70 years did back-to-back instrumentals occupy the No. 1 position.
In February 1956, sandwiched between “The Great Pretender” (Platters) and “Heartbreak Hotel” (Elvis Presley), came “Lisbon Antigua” (Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) and “The Poor People of Paris” (Les Baxter with His Chorus and Orchestra). Together they held serve for 10 weeks, particularly amazing during the emergence of the rock and roll explosion.
Not included here are different recordings of the same song, such as “The Third Man Theme,” by Anton Karas as well as Guy Lombardo.
You didn't ask, but what about instrumental LPs?
The consecutive record in this category is three, which began in January 1961: “Wonderland By Night” (Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra); “Exodus: The Original Sound Track from the Film” (Ernest Gold); and “Calcutta!” (Lawrence Welk).
Turning to No. 1 songs by the gals, consecutive runs of three occurred eight different times (1945; 1953; 1955; 1990; 1999; 2000; 2005; 2012), but only once did they extend it to four.
In fact, they barely missed having a run of seven.
It happened in 1990 for “Opposites Attract” (Paula Abdul); “Escapade” (Janet Jackson); “Black Velvet” (Alannah Myles); and “Love Will Lead You Back” (Taylor Dayne).
Succeeding Taylor Dayne's hit, and snapping the girls' streak, was Tommy Paige's “I'll Be Your Everything.”
After just one week, Paige gave way to these three: “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Sinead O'Connor); “Vogue” (Madonna”); and “Hold On” (Wilson Phillips).
Had Paige not oozed into the top spot for one week, this female flock would own a seemingly unbeatable streak of seven straight No. 1 singles.
The ladies have not been as strong in the consecutive No. 1 albums department, especially in the earlier years. They did equal the instrumentals tally of three straight, not just once but four times over a 20-year period:
1985-'86: “Heart” (self-titled); “The Broadway Album” (Barbra Streisand); and “Promise” (Sade)
1999: “Christina Aguilera” (self-titled); “Fly” (Dixie Chicks); and “Ruff Ryders' First Lady” (Eve)
2003: “After the Storm” (Monica); “Dangerously in Love” (Beyonce); and “Chapter II” (Ashanti)
2005: “Unplugged” (Alicia Keys); “I Am Me” (Ashlee Simpson); and “No. 1's” (Destiny's Child)
DEAR JERRY: “Thanks for the Memory” is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sing it in the film “Big Broadcast of 1938,” and it later became Bob Hope's closing theme song.
“Thanks for the Memory” was a huge hit for Mildred Bailey that year, and has since been recorded many times. Even Rod Stewart released it just a few years ago.
All the versions I've heard, except one by the Platters, include a line that sounds like one of their memories is about being on a “train new.” Is it possible this is a mistake and they meant a new train?
—Joy Bigman, Columbia, S.C.
DEAR JOY: As popular as rail travel was in 1938, this verse is not about trains, old or new.
What sounds very much like “on train new” is the French phrase “entre nous.”
When Shirley sings “strictly entre nous, darling how are you?” to Bob, she means “strictly between us, how are you?”
IZ ZAT SO? It seems that nearly every recording of “Thanks for the Memory” has somewhat different lyrics than the words heard in the film, often because not everything has the same meaning now as in 1938.
Rod Stewart, for example, makes no mention in 2005 of “a pair of gay pajamas that he bought but never wore.”
With first-rate lyrics by Leo Robin, and the music of Ralph Rainger, “Thanks for the Memory” won the Oscar in 1939 for Best Music and Best Original Song.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
a full list of the special Record Store Day releases can be found on the Record Store Day site, however, here some more details about some of the releases:
UMe Releases New Set of Limited Edition Vinyl From ABBA, Pete Townshend, James Brown, Mynah Birds, and Soundtracks Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club and Empire Records for National "Record Store Day" on April 21, 2012
SANTA MONICA, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 4, 2012) - With the worldwide success of "Record Store Day" and lines of vinyl enthusiasts at local independent record stores wrapping around the block, waiting to snatch up all the latest titles, on April 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) pushes out its new batch of limited edition Back-To-Black vinyl releases as part of this year's "Record Store Day." Each release is individually numbered with a foil stamp and each title will be limited to 5000 copies, with the exception of ABBA with only 4000 being pressed. Included are titles by ABBA, Pete Townshend, James Brown, the Mynah Birds featuring Rick James and Neil Young, and the movie soundtracks for the generation-defining films The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and Empire Records.
ABBA Maxi Single Vinyl 12" In honor of this year's "Record Store Day," a new limited edition 12-inch vinyl ABBA single will be released on Saturday, April 21. Side A will feature the extended dance remix of "Voulez-Vous," originally released as a promo-only single in the United States and France, while side B will feature "If It Wasn't For The Nights." This special release will be pressed on blue-glitter vinyl, packaged in a cardboard sleeve and limited to 4,000 numbered copies. It will be available for sale exclusively in participating stores.
Pete Townshend - Quadrophenia Demos 2 (10" EP):
On "Black Friday" UMe released the first of two limited edition 10" vinyl EPs featuring six demos from the Who's Quadrophenia: Director's Cut box set. On April 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release the second part of the "Record Store Day" exclusive, limited edition 10" vinyl EP's featuring demo versions of "I've Had Enough," "Drowned," "Is It Me," "Dr. Jimmy" and "Love Reign O'er Me." The Quadrophenia Demos 2 10" EP is the last of a two-part vinyl set which, combined, encompasses 11 of the demos from the Quadrophenia: The Director's Cut box set, and provides a unique insight into the creation of one of the most widely recognized albums of the Who's career. Quadrophenia is known for its classic depiction of mod culture, its renowned imagery and the magnificent music and powerful performances.
James Brown - Live At The Apollo 50th Anniversary 7":
Ranked as one of the greatest live albums of all time, James Brown's Live At The Apollo celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this landmark release as part of a "Record Store Day" exclusive, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release a limited edition 7" vinyl single James Brown - Live At The Apollo 50th Anniversary featuring two previously unreleased tracks recorded at the Apollo in 1972: the upbeat and funky "There It Is" and "Pass The Peas," featuring Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s. These tracks will appear on the Live At The Apollo: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition, including the legendary LPs Live At The Apollo Vols. I, II & III, plus the previously unreleased Vol. IV -- coming out later this year.
Mynah Birds: Rick "James" Matthews, Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, John Taylor and Rickman Mason 7":
The Mynah Birds were a Canadian band that signed to Motown in 1966, featuring as its lead singer a young Ricky Matthews, later the "King of Punk Funk" Rick James, and the future legend Neil Young as its lead guitar player. The Mynahs had recorded their first single when Rick was put in the brig for being AWOL from the military, forcing Motown to put the tracks back on the shelf. Young and Mynah's bassist Bruce Palmer left for L.A. and formed Buffalo Springfield. Originally only available on The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 6, and now available for the first time ever on vinyl, the songs "It's My Time" and "Go On And Cry" will debut as a limited edition 7" single.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of A&M Records, the home to some of the most influential artists of the last 50 years including the Carpenters, the Police, Cat Stevens, Sting and Janet Jackson, plus contemporary artists such as Soundgarden, the Black Eyed Peas and Maroon 5. As part of its yearlong celebration, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will issue three classic generation-defining A&M Records soundtracks -- The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and, for the first time, Empire Records -- on limited edition vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.
The Breakfast Club Soundtrack 12" LP (White Vinyl)
No other director captured adolescents coming to age quite like John Hughes. His 1985 hit film The Breakfast Club centers around five students with very different backgrounds, stuck in detention and discovering they are not so different. The movie has become an all-time classic, defined a generation and continues to be rediscovered and connect with new audiences. The music plays a vital part and sets the mood throughout the movie with songs such as Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me" which topped the charts in 1985 making them superstars. Other tracks include Wang Chung's "Man Leads The Way" from the famous hallway scene, Academy Award®-winning composer Keith Forsey's "I'm the Dude" (Instrumental) and Karla DeVito's unforgettable and infectious "We Are Not Alone." The Breakfast Club Soundtrack is pressed in limited edition white vinyl as a "Record Store Day" exclusive and is a feature title in Universal Pictures 100th Anniversary festivities this year.
Pretty In Pink Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 25th Anniversary 12" LP (Pink Vinyl)
As important as the movie itself, the music used in a film proves just as powerful, important and can freeze a moment in time like a mental snapshot, giving each generation its own identity. Like the film, music helped define who you were and what path your entire social life at school was going to take. Twenty-five years after its theatrical release, Pretty In Pink continues to resonate with each new generation experiencing the same hurdles and challenges of being young. The music on Pretty In Pink Soundtrack - 25th Anniversary sets the different moods and tones for the film with songs such as OMD's top 5 hit "If You Leave," the Smith's "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want," Echo & the Bunnymen's anthem "Bring On The Dancing Horses" and the Psychedelic Furs' top 5 hit "Pretty In Pink." Fittingly, Pretty In Pink will be released on limited edition pink vinyl.
Empire Records Soundtrack (2-LP)
As the '80s came to an end, in ushered the '90s with many high school and young adults facing the similar issues of coming of age as generations before them. Once again, music takes center stage in the lives and drama of a motley group of teenagers and young adults working at a local independent record store as they cope with life's struggles. The Empire Records Soundtrack makes its debut on vinyl as a limited edition, 2-LP set pressed on orange vinyl and features Gin Blossoms' top 5 hit "Til I Hear It From You," the Cranberries' b-side "Liar," Edwyn Collins' retro-pop, fuzzed-out '90s hit "Girl Like You," "Whole Lotta Trouble" by alt-country pioneers Cracker and the Lemonheads' Evan Dando with his poignant version of Big Star's classic "Ballad of El Goodo."
For more information on Record Store Day, please visit: recordstoreday.com
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Beatles Top Vinyl Collectable Sales
The Beatles and other British groups are top of the pops when it comes to rare vinyl, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Eight of the top 10 most collectible acts in the world today are Brits, according to UK-based www.991.com, the world's biggest rare records site.
The Beatles beat the Rolling Stones, once chart rivals in the 1960s, to the top spot for sales last year.
Collectors spent more than twice as much on rare Beatles records than they did on releases by third-placed Madonna.
The top 10 was rounded out by Queen, U2, Pink Floyd, Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, The Who and David Bowie.
Julian Thomas of 991.com, who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, said 2011 was a "boom year" for rare vinyl despite the economic recession.
He said, "As well as the vibrant vinyl collecting scene, we've also noticed an increase in interest from investors who want to put their money into something less volatile than stocks and shares.
"Mint copies of vinyl singles and albums by the likes of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are fantastic investments and are much less likely to fall in value.
Pink Floyd To Release 'The Making of Wish You Were Here' DVD
Pink Floyd is set to release 'The Making of 'Wish You Were Here' on DVD and Blu-ray on June 26 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The release tells the story of the recording of one of the group's most iconic LPs with the full consent and participation of the band members.
The upcoming release uses new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason, as well as archival interviews with Richard Wright, to chronicle the recording and release of the landmark album. Additionally, cover art designer Storm Thorgerson, guest vocalist Roy Harper, front cover “burning man” Ronnie Rondell and others also share their stories. Original recording engineer Brian Humphries revisits the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios to illustrate aspects of the recording process.
The band members discuss the album’s themes of absence, the greed of the music business and former band member Syd Barrett, who is famously celebrated in 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' which both opens and closes the album. The program also covers the unexpected visit Barrett paid to Abbey Road during the recording, the difficulties of the early recording sessions and how the decision to split 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' into two sections was the catalyst for the album’s successful completion.
The DVD and Blu-ray releases feature bonus footage including additional interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason. Waters and Gilmour also perform separate excerpts from the album.
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interesting thought, i hope that he can get it done!
Vinyl Records are Not Dead and Neither is Ska
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Bryan J Polk, host and producer of the "23min of Ska" a ska music podcast, is looking for people to help fund the Big Ska Gamble, a new ska music seven inch vinyl record subscription club. The Kickstarter website is being used to raise the funds. The way a Kickstarter campaign works is that people with ideas, such as Bryan, can try to pre-sell the goods, in this case 6 7\" vinyl records, in an effort to finance the project.
He is doing this by not only selling the subscriptions as they are, but also extra incentives, like test pressings of the records and co-hosting duties on a future podcast. The bands that are taking part in this and are releasing records are: the Action League a ska/punk from San Luis Obispo, CA, Do It With Malice a ska/metal/hardcore punk from Buffalo, NY, the Georgetown Orbits a ska, reggae and dub from Seattle, WA, Lockstep a reggae punk from Indianapolis, IN , the Shifters a rocksteady from Washington D.C. & Stop the Presses a ska/surf/punk from Miami, FL.
Each record will have 2 songs on each seven inch record. The records will start shipping two at a time bi-monthy starting in July of 2012 if funding is reached.
Bryan is looking for ska and vinyl fans far and wide to check out his website at www.BigSkaGamble.com to raise the funds to start a ska music seven inch record subscription club by way of Kickstarter. He has until the 5th of May to raise $5,000.
Bryan J. Polk has been running the ska podcast "23min of Ska" for the last 3 years and is a life long ska fan. After much debate he decided that the best way to get more ska music out into the world is to find a bunch of great bands and put it out himself.
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Greg Kihn Releases Greg Kihn Band; Best of Beserkley, 1974-1985 - New Disc Features 21 Remastered Hits from the Legendary 80’s Rocker
Legendary 80’s rocker, Greg Kihn, is proud to announce the release of his new album, Greg Kihn Band: Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985, as both hardcopy CD and digital download.
Berkeley, CA (PRWEB) April 03, 2012 - Legendary 80’s rocker, Greg Kihn, is proud to announce the release of his new album, Greg Kihn Band: Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985, as both hardcopy CD and digital download. Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985’s 21-tracks features 19 Greg Kihn remastered original hits drawn from Greg’s eight-of-nine full-length Beserkley Records studio albums, including The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘em Like That), Jeopardy, Happy Man and Reunited, along with two tribute tracks to Bruce Springsteen (long considered one of Greg’s biggest musical influences), Rendezvous and For You.
In the late 80’s, Beserkley Records sold the original Greg Kihn Band master recordings, along with the rest of the Beserkley Records catalog. After many years of legal wranglings, Greg finally obtained the rights to release his back catalog from this seminal era of his musical career. Existing diehard and new fans who have followed Greg Kihn from the beginning of his career as a folkie/pop-rock troubadour to one of the most recognizable and popular Gold-selling video Rock Stars during MTV’s 1980’s glory years will want to add this essential compilation to their classic rock music collection.
Beserkley Records is credited as being one of the first successful American Punk Rock Indie Record Labels, established in 1973 in Berkeley, California, releasing albums by Earth Quake, Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, The Rubinoos and the label’s biggest breakthrough artist, Greg Kihn. Beginning with his third album, Next of Kihn (1978), Greg continually ‘charted’ in America thanks to regular FM radio airplay. By 1981 Greg Kihn’s “The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" from Rockihnroll (1981), broke the Top 40 and his fifth and sixth albums, Kihntinued (1982) and Kihnspiracy (1983), all reached the Top 40 on the LP charts. Greg’s 1983 single "Jeopardy" became Beserkley Records’ biggest hit, peaking on the Billboard Charts at #2, (#1 on Billboard Dance and International Charts), achieving Gold sales status for Kihnspiracy (over 500,000 units sold), and mainstream recognition. This was due, in large part, to “Jeopardy becoming one of early-MTV’s most popular music videos. “Jeopardy” featured Greg and band in a scripted play-acted scenario, with elaborate special effects, that reinvented the music video into a micro story-telling genre, influencing other elaborate and grandiose productions, such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and countless others.
According to Greg, “It’s said ‘if you can remember the 60’s you weren’t there,’ and now that I reflect on being a Beserkley Records recording artist almost four decades after I first signed with the label, I realize that when I try to recall those years, much has been lost in the fog of age. I mean, after all, we did refer to the label as ‘Rather Ripped Records’ after closing time… But, I digress… These songs really represent and bring back all of the best memories of my achievements and peaks of my musical career during the carefree halcyon heydays as a Beserkley Records recording artist… when everything was safe, nothing was dangerous and we were all young and immortal. I can clearly hear, feel and experience that unbridled excitement and exuberance in each track, more so now that I’ve painstakingly remastered each and every song, and I am sure you, fair listener, will, as well.”
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cool album cover art:
Heptah Album Cover Artwork Revealed
Brazilian metallers Heptah have recently revealed the cover artwork for their debut album called 'Master Of Delusion.' The artwork was handled by Cleyton Souza.
Raphael Jorge (Drums/Vocals) had this to say about the cover artwork: "Cleyton Souza is a super-talented artist and a friend, we've had the pleasure of working with him before when he did the cover art for our both singles, MySpace layout and Website. Rhads Clemente (Guitar/Vocals) basically just gave him the title and some initial ideas and he created one of the most beautiful images ever seen. He totally nailed what the album is all about."
'Master of Delusion' is scheduoled to be released in the first half of 2012 via MS Metal Records.
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not fond of this cover art at all....
Fiona Apple Reveals Album Artwork
"The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do" is scheduled for release via Epic on June 19, according to a post on her Facebook page.
It contains several songs that she's performed on her recent tour, including "Every Single Night," "Valentine" and "Anything We Want" which we witnessed during Apple's breathtaking performance at SXSW.
Tracklist: 1 Every Single Night 2 Daredevil 3 Valentine 4 Jonathan 5 Left Alone 6 Werewolf 7 Periphery 8 Regret 9 Anything We Want 10 Hot Knife
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Rare Randy Rhoads Ozzy Osborne Album Release
Ozzy Osbourne is paying tribute to the late Randy Rhoads with a new live recording album, available only on vinyl. Ozzy plans to release 'Live,' a 180-gram audiophile vinyl two-LP set, which is a limited, numbered collector’s edition recorded live on the 1981 Blizzard of Ozz tour. “Believer,” a live seven-inch single, will also be issued and it is a limited and numbered collector’s edition on polka-dot vinyl featuring “Believer” (live) and “Goodbye to Romance.”
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album cover art of the day!
KREATOR: 'Phantom Antichrist' Formats Revealed
limited-edition artwork
German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will release their new album, 'Phantom Antichrist,' on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. Furthermore, the songs of the sold out 7“ vinyl single "Phantom Antichrist“ will be available as digital download via iTunes, Amazon and various other download shops from April 20, 2012 on!
According to Nuclear Blast, the following formats of the upcoming KREATOR masterpiece are now available for pre-order!
- Jewel Case CD* - 2LP Yellow Vinyl* - 2LP Bi-Coloured Vinyl (Red/Black): limited to 500 copies, hand numbered*+ - 2LP Picture Vinyl** - CD/DVD Digi Limited Edition: 2 Digipacks in a slipcase.** - Limited Mailorder Edition: metallic box including CD/DVD Digi Ltd. Edition, T-Shirt, exclusive CD „Live In Wacken“, Poster, signing card, limited to 500 copies, hand numbered**+
* = Featuring Artwork by Wes Benscoter (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER) ** = Featuring Artwork by Jan Meininghaus + = only available at www.nuclearblast
Municipal Waste - The Fatal Feats (The Waste in Space) Pre-Order
Being releaseed on 4/10/12 on Yellow Vinyl!
Undisputed masters of the crossover genre, Richmond, Virginia's Municipal Waste return with their fifth full-length album in their endless quest to bring the fury, bring the laughs and bring the party to obscene new lows. Tasked with the noble aim of spreading the shred, 'The Fatal Feast' is the most complete album the band have recorded. More bang, more intensity and a rounder sound make this not only the perfect party record, but also a natural fit for their epically ridiculous live shows. This vinyl edition adds bonus track "Eviction Party"!
Storied musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John—Mac Rebennack—releases 'Locked Down,' a startling album that marks a significant departure from his recent efforts, on April 3, 2012. The new album, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is Dr. John's first for Nonesuch Records. The vinyl album, which also includes the complete album on CD, is due out on Record Store Day, April 21.
It’s an entirely new approach for the iconic Dr. John, featuring as it does his collaboration with Auerbach and a band of young musicians Auerbach hand-picked to make Locked Down at his studio Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. "It was way cool cutting this record with Dan and the crew he put together for it," says Rebennack. "It's reel HIP."
For his part, Auerbach says about the collaboration: "Mac inspired me every single day we were in the studio together: musically, spiritually, cosmically ... something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it. For my money, Mac's one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be ... I'm so honored to have had this opportunity to work with him."
Auerbach, a long-time fan of the influential musician, dubbed “the Night Tripper” in the late 60s, visited Dr. John late in 2010 in his hometown New Orleans, announcing his ambition to produce "the best record you've made in a long time." Rebennack replied that he had done his research—his children had told him good things about The Black Keys—and the conversation led to an agreement to collaborate on the 2011 Bonnaroo Jam being curated by Auerbach.
That performance—called by New York Times critic Ben Ratliff in his best-of-the-year list “deep and oozy, close-to-the-vest, low-frequency funk”—confirmed that something unusual was taking place and led to September recording sessions in Nashville. Dr. John returned to Nashville at Thanksgiving to complete the vocals and Locked Down was mixed by Auerbach and completed in early 2012.
1. Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
2. The Shins - Port Of Morrow
3. Jack White - Sixteen Saltines 7"
4. The Black Keys - El Camino
5. The Head & The Heart - The Head & The Heart
6. Alabama Shakes - Live At Third Man 7"
7. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
8. Burial - Kindred
9. Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit
10. Poor Moon - Illusion
11. Dr. Dog - Be The Void
12. Lucero - Women & Work
13. Young Prisms - In Between
14. Big Surr - Baked + Bruised 7"
15. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
16. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
17. Adele - 21
18. Radiohead - King Of Limbs
19. Guided By Voices - Keep It In Motion 7"
20. Sandy Bull & The Rhythm Ace - Live 1976
21. The Decemberists - We All Raise Our Voices To The Air
22. Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile
23. Retribution Gospel Choir - Revolution 7"
24. Mad Men - Zou Bisou Bisou 7"
25. Morphine - Cure For Pain
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and in music history for april 4th:
Born on this day in 1913, Muddy Waters, blues singer, guitarist (died April 30,1983).
In 1939, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra recorded his theme song, "Moonlight Serenade."
Born on this day in 1941, soul singer Major Lance (died of heart failure March 9, 1994).
Born on this day in 1948, Berry Oakley, bass, Allman Brothers Band. He was killed in a motorcycle accident November 11, 1972.
In 1956, after performing in San Diego, Elvis Presley received notice from the local authorities saying that if he ever returned to the city and performed in the same way, he would be arrested for disorderly conduct.
In 1959, Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" hit #13. It was his first posthumous hit.
In 1960, RCA began releasing singles in both stereo and mono, starting with Elvis Presley's "Stuck on You."
CVR Blog 45RPM Spotlight: In 1960, Elvis Presely recorded his version of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
Colonel Parker (it was one of his wife's favorite songs) persuaded Elvis to record his own rendition of this song. Elvis' version was based on the Blue Barron Orchestra version from 1950 with spoken segment. It went on to be one of the biggest-selling singles of 1960, peaking at number one on the Billboard pop chart for six weeks and peaking at number three on the R&B charts. Elvis, occasionally during live performances, would randomly change lyrics to give them humorous connotations. One popular instance was recorded at the International Hotel in Vegas on August 26, 1969.
During the performance, instead of singing: "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there", he sings "Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair". Moments later, he saw a bald man in the audience (as legend has it), and burst into laughter which continued into the next lines. The audience was treated to additional laughter during the spoken verse singing: "You know someone said that the world's a stage, and each must play a part." Seeing the irony of his own lyrics, Elvis was again overtaken by laughter and barely recovered. The audience enjoyed the sincerity of the moment while Elvis regained his composure. Meanwhile the band and backup singers continued to keep the song going. It is speculated that much of Elvis' mirth derived from the solo backing singer whose falsetto remained resolute throughout. To this, Elvis comes back just in time for the line: "And I had no cause to doubt you" followed by more laughter. So overtaken, Elvis encourages the backup singer to "sing it, baby" drawing even more laughter which nearly brings the house down. In the end, the song is finished to a round of applause as Elvis says, "That's it, man, fourteen years right down the drain...boy, I'll tell ya. Fourteen years just shot there." The version is considered to be a popular underground classic, and was a UK Top 30 hit in 1982 after first being commercially released by RCA in the 1980 box set Elvis Aaron Presley.
According to Dr. Demento, who plays the version on his show, there is nothing on the label of the recording to indicate that it is anything other than an ordinary recording of the song--"People must have been surprised when they took it home and played it."
In 1964, the Trashmen of "Surfin' Bird" fame were court-ordered to pay royalties to Beechwood Music, holder of the copyright for "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow," made popular in a recording by the Rivingtons, from which the Trashmen hit borrowed heavily.
In 1964, the Beatles held the top five spots on the Billboard Singles chart with "Can't Buy Me Love," "Love Me Do," "Roll Over Beethoven," "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me."
In 1965, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote Help!In the 1970 Rolling Stone "Lennon Remembers" interviews, Lennon said it was one of his favorites among the Beatles songs he wrote, but he wished they had recorded it at a slower tempo. In these interviews, Lennon said he felt that "Help!" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were his most honest, genuine Beatles songs and not just songs "written to order." According to Lennon's cousin and boyhood friend Stanley Parkes, however, "Help!" was written after Lennon "came in from the studio one night. 'God,' he said, 'they've changed the title of the film: it's going to be called 'Help!' now. So I've had to write a new song with the title called 'Help!'
In 1968, James Brown makes a nationally broadcast appeal for calm after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Also in 1968 - After hearing of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Ted Nugent, Joni Mitchell and Al Kooper met at the New Generation Club in New York for an all-night music session.
In 1968, Bobby Goldsboro received a Gold record for the single, "Honey", which had spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart, including five weeks at number one. It remains heavily played on the radio to this day and has been covered many times, although Todd Leopold of CNN named it the "Worst Song of All Time" in April 2006.
In 1970, Janis Joplin and Big Brother & the Holding Company play a reunion show in San Francisco.
Also in 1970, Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Deja Vu.' The first album which saw Neil Young joining Crosby, Stills and Nash featured three US Top 40 singles: "Teach Your Children," "Our House" and "Woodstock."
In 1973, a taped Elvis Presley concert, "Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii," which had been shown live to most of the world except North America on January 14, 1973, was telecast on NBC. The total audience for the show, the first commercial worldwide satellite broadcast, was more than a billion people and it is regarded as the most-watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history.
In 1974, 'Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones' opens and is the first film with a quadraphonic soundtrack.
In 1981, the documentary "This is Elvis," based on the life of Elvis Presley, opened in US and Canadian movie theaters. It combined archival footage with reenactments, and narration by Elvis soundalike, singer Ral Donner.
In 1983, Danny Rapp of Danny and The Juniors, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His band achieved two classic 1950's hits, "At the Hop" (#1) and "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (#19). He was 41 years old.
In 1987, Grace Slick's lead vocals helped Starship reach Billboard's number one spot for the third time with "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." The song was co-written by Albert Hammond, who had scored a number 5 hit of his own in 1972 with "It Never Rains in Southern California."
In 1994, Kurt Cobain's mother called police to file a missing persons report on her son.
In 1996, a small portion of Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia's ashes was scattered in the Ganges River in India by Garcia's widow, Deborah, and Dead guitarist Bob Weir.
Released in 2000: 'Can't Take Me Home,' Pink's debut album.
In 2002, it was announced that the 19-year-old band Megadeth had broken up. The break up was due to an injury to Dave Mustaine's left arm and hand that had left him unable to play guitar.
In 2003, the Rolling Stones play their first show ever in India.
In 2007, Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards issued a statement that said he was joking when he told NME magazine that the strangest thing he ever snorted was his father's ashes. "It was an off-the-cuff remark, a joke and it is not true. File under April Fools' joke".
In 2007, a Swedish couple ran into trouble with authorities after trying to name their baby Metallica. Michael and Karolina Tomaro went to court with the country's National Tax Authority about naming their daughter after the rock band. The six-month-old has been baptised Metallica, but tax officials said the name was "inappropriate." Under Swedish law, both first names and surnames need to win the approval of authorities before they can be used.
In 2008, at London’s Court of Appeal, Procol Harum singer/pianist Gary Brooker won a royalty battle over the band’s worldwide hit, “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” brought by original organist Matthew Fisher. The decision overturned a 2006 ruling that Fisher was entitled to a 40% portion of royalties after he argued he had written the song’s organ melody. The court ruled there was an “excessive delay” in the claim being made – the claim was made nearly 40 years after the song was recorded.
In 2011, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr reached out to cancer survivor Alexx Kipp through the Make-A-Wish Foundation by meeting him at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles, where they chatted and played drums together. Ringo later surprised Kipp by giving him his drum set.
birthdays today include (among others): Clive Davis (80), Dave Hill (Slade) (66), David "Pick" Withers (Dire Straits) (64), Steve Gatlin (Gatlin Brothers) (61), Pete Haycock (Climax Blues Band) (61) and Mike Starr (Alice in Chains) (46)
AU - Both Lights
Adam Cohen - Like a Man
Al Jardine - A Postcard From California
All The Young - Welcome Home
Amadou & Marian - Folia
Beak - Eyrie
Bear In Heaven - I Love You, It’s Cool
Ben Howard - Every Kingdom
Beyond Terror Beyond Grace - Nadir
Black Mountain - Year Zero: The Original Soundtrack
Bobby Conn - Macaroni
Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream
Boys Noize -The Remixes 2004-2011
Breton - Other People's Problems
Bright Eyes - Every Day and Every Night (EP) (reissue) (vinyl)
Bright Eyes - Letting Off the Happiness (reissue) (vinyl)
Burial - Kindred EP (vinyl)
Caltrop - Ten Million Years and Eight Minutes
Candlebox - Love Stories and other Musings
Ceu - Caravana Sereia Bloom
Cheryl Lynn - In the Night Expand
Chris Clark - Iradelphic
City And Colour - Europe Live (2011)
Clarence Bucaro - Walls of the World
Clark - Iradelphic
Céu - Caravana Sereia Bloom
David Sylvian - Victim of Stars 1982 - 2012 (2 CDs)
De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 - First Serve
Demi Lovato - Unbroken
Denison Witmer - The Ones Who Wait
Doris Day - With a Smile And A Song (2 CDs)
Dr. John - Locked Down
Dragonette - Let It Go
East 17 - Dark Light
Elvis Costello - The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Wheel
Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Rolant Rat”/Brain Storm
Evans The Death - Evans The Death
Eye - Center Of The Sun
Failsafe - Routines
fIREHOSE - lowFLOWs: The Columbia Anthology ('91 - '93)
First Aid Kit - Big Black and the Blue (vinyl)
Graham Coxon - A+E
Great Lake Swimmers - New Wild Everywhere
Greenpot Bluepot - Ascend at the Dead End
Havenside - Nemesis
High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
Hollis Brown - Nothing and the Famous No One
Hour Of Penance - Sedition
Imperial Leisure - Death To The One Trick Pony
James Taylor - Mud Slide Slim (Gold CD)
Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson - Thick As A Brick 2
Joachim Cooder - Love on a Real Train
Johnny Cash - Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth (2 CDs)
Joshua McCormack - The Phantom King
Julia Holter - Tragedy
Killing Joke - 2012
King Tuff - Wild Desire (7")
LUFF - Maybe It’s Just Sleeping (EP)
Labrinth - Electronic Earth
Les Momies De Palerme - Brulez Ce Coeur
Lightships - Electric Cables
Linda Lewis - A Tear And A Smile
Lori Carson - Another Year
Lostprophets - Weapons
Lotus Plaza - Spooky Action at a Distance
Love On A Real Train - Love On A Real Train
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real - Wasted
Lux - We Are Not The Same
Magic Bullets - Much Adu About (EP)
Marvin Sapp - I Win
Meli'sa Morgan - Do Me Baby
Midtown Dickens - Home
Mock Suns - Here Nor There
Morgan Page - In The Air
MxPx - Plans Within Plans
New Build - Yesterday Was Lived and Lost
Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
O'Jays - We'll Never Forget You: Imperial Years 1963 - 1966
Obie Trice - Bottoms Up
Of Monsters & Men - My Head Is an Animal
Orbital - Wonky
Our Lady Peace - Curve
Outcast - Awaken the Reason
Over Kill - The Electric Age
Paul Van Dyk - Evolution
Photek - DJ-Kicks
Pointer Sisters - Energy
Quantic and Alice Russell - Look Around the Corner
Rachel Yamagata - Chesapeake
Rascal Flatts - Changed
Ravens and Chimes - Holiday Life
Rene & Angela - Rise
Ringo Starr - Ringo 2012
Robin Gibb & Royal Philharmonic - Gibb: The Titanic Requiem
Rocky Votolato - Television Of Saints
Roxette - Travelling
Roxy Music - Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982 (box set)
Ryan Power - I Don't Want To Die
Screaming Females - Ugly
Serge Devant - Rewind
Seth Lakeman - Tales From The Barrelhouse
Simon Felice - Simon Felice
Sondre Lerche - Duper Sessions (reissue) (vinyl)
Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch (reissue) (vinyl)
Sondre Lerche - Two way Monologue (reissue) (vinyl)
Stephen Curtis Chapman - Number 1's Volume 1
Stevie Wonder - Innervisions (Gold CD)
Swans - The Burning Wood
Tavares - Supercharged
The Futureheads - Rant
The Jealous Sound - Gentle Reminder (vinyl)
The Jezabels - Prisoner
The Lumineers - The Lumineers
The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow (reissue)
The Smiths - Louder Than Bombs (reissue)
The Smiths - Meat Is Murder (reissue)
The Smiths - Strangeways Here We Come (reissue)
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (reissue)
The Smiths - The Smiths (reissue)
The Smiths - The World Won't Listen (reissue)
The Vespers - The Fourth Wall
The Wave Pictures - Long Black Cars
Todd Rundgren & Utopia - Disco Jets
Tribal Tech - X
Turin Brakes - The Optimist Live
Tuxedomoon - Unearthed
Tycho - Dive (12")
UV Pop - No Songs Tomorrow
Venetian Snares - A Giant Alien Force More Violent and Sick Than Anything You Can Imagine
White Arrows - Fireworks of The Sea
White Fence - Family Perfume, Vol. 1
Whitejacket - Hollows and Rounds
Willis Earl Beal - Acousmatic Sourcery
Wilson Phillips - Dedicated
Wishbone Ash - Live Dates II
World Blanket - 2012
wzrd - wzrd (vinyl)
Yppah - Eighty One
Zammuto - Zammuto
They’re reinventing the wheel (the one for vinyl records)
Lexington High grads win grant for turntable design
By Lisa Kocian / Globe Staff
Brookline roommates Bob Hertig and Peter Maltzan were in the market for a new turntable for their extensive vinyl record collection, but couldn’t find what they were looking for.
So, the two Lexington High School graduates, along with a third alum, Ben Carter, decided to make it themselves.
Hertig, a mechanical engineering major at Northeastern University, and Maltzan, a bass guitarist studying at the Berklee College of Music, wanted a turntable that produced great sound for a reasonable price, and they were willing to forgo a lot of the bells and whistles included on the models now being produced.
Read the rest and how you can get involved at boston.com
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Legacy Recordings Rolls Out All-star Line-up of Historic Collectibles for Record Store Day 2012
Legacy's Limited Edition Record Store Day Exclusives Include Releases From Ozzy Osbourne, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Janis Joplin, Uncle Tupelo, 311, Lou Reed, Miles Davis, The Clash, Patti Smith, Shuggie Otis, Iggy & the Stooges, and Tedeschi Trucks Band
NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce an all-star line-up of 7" and 12" vinyl releases created especially for Record Store Day 2012, celebrated at independent record stores worldwide on Saturday, April 21, 2012.
For RSD 2012, Legacy is offering a range of releases appealing to a variety of tastes from classic artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Janis Joplin, Uncle Tupelo, 311, Lou Reed, Miles Davis, The Clash, Patti Smith, Shuggie Otis, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Iggy & the Stooges.
Now in its fifth year, Record Store Day is an annual day-long celebration of record store culture taking place on the third Saturday in April. In January, RSD announced the appointment of Iggy Pop to the post of Record Store Day 2012 Ambassador.
Legacy Recordings releases for Record Store Day 2012 include:
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Live - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LPs (two disc set) - A limited, numbered collector's edition recorded live on the 1981 Blizzard of Ozz tour with mythic guitarist Randy Rhoads
Ozzy Believer Live - 7" single - A limited, numbered collector's edition on polka-dot vinyl featuring "Believer" (Live) + "Goodbye to Romance" (2010 guitar and vocal mix)
Willie Nelson
Just Breathe - CD single - Features Willie's cover of Pearl Jam's "Just Breathe," a key track from Heroes, his upcoming new album on Legacy, as well as a non-album cut, "Can I Sleep In Your Arms" (a new recording of a Hank Cochran tune Willie first recorded for Red-Headed Stranger in 1975). CD single includes "Come On Back Jesus" (also from Heroes) and a $2 coupon redeemable on purchases of Heroes (available May 15).
Paul Simon
Graceland - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - The original Grammy Award-winning long-playing album on 25th anniversary of first release. Includes a collectible Graceland poster PLUS card for downloadable MP3s of full album and three bonus songs.
Janis Joplin
Pearl - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - Joplin's farewell studio recordings sourced from the original masters with cover art meticulously recreated from the original.
Highlights From The Pearl Sessions - 10" vinyl EPs (two disc set) - Created exclusively for Record Store Day, this collection includes rare and unreleased studio outtakes of classic songs specifically culled from the recently discovered studio recordings used to create The Pearl Sessions. Highlights From The Pearl Sessions comes packaged in a gatefold jacket with extensive liner notes and rare photographs.
Uncle Tupelo
The Seven Inch Singles Box - 7" vinyl singles (four 45rpm disc set) - Numbered sets including a 14"x7" poster plus three original replica singles and one previously unreleased 7" disc. Singles are: "I Got Drunk" b/w "Sin City"; "Gun" b/w "I Wanna Destroy You"; "Sauget Wind" b/w "Looking For A Way Out" (acoustic)/"Take My Word"; "That Year" (1988 demo) b/w "Pickle River" (1987 demo).
No Depression - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - Long out of print on vinyl, litho-wrapped
still feel gone. - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - Long out of print on vinyl, litho-wrapped
March 16-20, 1992 - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - Long out of print on vinyl, litho-wrapped
311
Music - 12" 180-gram audiophile vinyl LP - Numbered edition in gatefold jacket, newly mastered by Joe Gastwirt, this marks the first time 311's Music has ever been available on vinyl.
Lou Reed
Rock N Roll Animal - 12" 120-gram vinyl LP - The classic 1974 live album including "Sweet Jane" and more in a gatefold sleeve.
Transformer - 12" 120-gram vinyl LP - The definitive glam-rock masterpiece from 1972, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, featuring "Walk On The Wild Side," "Perfect Day," "Satellite of Love," "Vicious" and others.
Miles Davis
Forever Miles - 12" LP - This collection, created especially for Record Store Day, makes five quintessential Miles Davis performances available for the first time on commercial vinyl. A cross-section of tracks from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Forever Miles includes "Dear Old Stockholm," an alternate take from the Miles and John Coltrane box set; "Blues For Pablo," Take 1 from the Miles and Gil Evans box set; "Hand Jive," an alternate take from the Miles Quintet box set; "Early Minor," a new mix from the In A Silent Way box set; and "Directions," an unreleased version from Live at the Fillmore East 1970.
The Clash
London Calling 2012 - 7" single - "London Calling" (2012 mix) and "London Calling" (2012 instrumental), two previously unreleased new mixes by Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Bill Price (engineer on the original "London Calling"). This Record Store Day exclusive features artwork images from Pennie Smith.
Patti Smith
Horses - 12" 120-gram vinyl LP - A pillar of the punk rock pantheon, this 1975 album from Patti Smith, her major label debut, helped her find a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Shuggie Otis
Inspiration Information c/w Magic - 7" single - This limited numbered edition on purple vinyl premieres "Magic," an unreleased diamond from Shuggie's personal archive.
Iggy and the Stooges
Raw Power - 12" 120-gram vinyl LPs (two disc set) - One of the most influential albums of all time, the 1973 cornerstone of punk on two discs: the original 1973 David Bowie mix on one, the 1997 Iggy Pop mix on the other. The gatefold set includes a 16-page booklet featuring rare photos and liner notes. Iggy Pop is serving as 2012 Record Store Day Ambassador.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Revelator- LIVE EP - CD single - Contains outstanding live versions of songs from Grammy-winning Revelator album handpicked from the band's triumphant 2011 tour. A first taste of TTB's upcoming live album, Everybody's Talkin', the Revelator LIVE EP includes an exclusive non-album performance and a $2 coupon redeemable on purchases of the album, coming May 22.
SOURCE Legacy Recordings
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album cover art of the day:
Dawn Of Demise Reveals New Album Artwork
Dawn of Demise have recently revealed the Marco Hasmann created cover artwork for the band's new album 'Rejoice in Vengeance, which is due out on Unique Leader Records this summer.
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Drive Vinyl Available For Pre-Order Now
Invada Records have revealed plans to release the soundtrack to Drive on vinyl this May, with copies available to pre-order now via their official site.
The records will be available on black heavyweight vinyl, pink vinyl or as a picture disk.
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from our friends at VinylRecordTalk
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 03/31/2012
Ok, this is trippy. A Butcher cover, though sealed sells for over $5k, and a "Please Please Me" 1st sells for under $2.5k. I'll call it an anomaly. If I see it three or more times I'll think about it as maybe bad taste, five or more its a trend if I like it or not. The Sun Ra LP was the coolest thing on the list this week.
1. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday And Today" Mono 1st State Butcher Cover Sealed - $5,101.99
2. LP - Sun Ra "Supersonic Jazz" Saturn - $2,500.00
3. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Mono - $2,476.44
4. 45 - Scorpio and his People "The Unforgiven" / "Theme From The Movietown sound" - $2,300.00
5. 45 - Hopeton Lewis "Come Live It Up" / "She Is Gone" - $2,025.00
Vinyl Record Talk is Live on Radio Dentata on Tuesdays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT at www.radiodentata.com
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and in music history for april 2nd:
In 1942, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra, featuring trumpeter Billy May, recorded "American Patrol," their swing band version of a march tune written in 1885. The Miller single peaked at #15 in the summer of '42.
In 1955, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Slim Whitman, Johnny Horton and Floyd Cramer all appeared on the Louisiana Hayride.
In 1956, in Memphis, Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two recorded "I Walk The Line." The single remained on the record charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies.
In 1957, Elvis Presley played before a combined audience of 23,000 people in two concerts at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The second of the concerts, for 15,000 fans, was the largest audience Elvis had faced to date. His opening acts included an Irish tenor, a tap dancer and a comedian who imitated a woman taking off a girdle. Presley performed formally outside the US only four times in his career - the two concerts in Toronto, one the following night in Ottawa, and one in Vancouver later in 1957.
In 1960, Lonnie Donegan becomes the first British artist to enter the UK chart at number one when "My Old Man's A Dustman" debuts at the top. The only previous artist to achieve this feat was Elvis Presley.
In 1964, Brian Wilson produced the instrumental track for the Beach Boys' "I Get Around." It was during this session that Brian Wilson dismissed his father Murry as the group's manager. The vocals were recorded during a session eight days later on April 10. The lead vocal features Mike Love on the verses and Brian Wilson on the choruses with backing vocals from Brian, Carl & Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Alan Jardine (the soaring falsetto is Brian Wilson). It became the group's first #1 hit in the US.
In 1964, Elvis Presley released the "Kissin' Cousins" movie soundtrack album.
In 1965, Freddie And The Dreamers recorded "Do The Freddie," a song that was put together quickly after American audiences wanted to know more about the swaying motion that lead singer Fred Garrity seemed to do on stage. Although it reached #18 in the US, it was dismissed as "silly" in the UK and never released.
Also in 1965, the UK music show Ready Steady Go! takes on a temporary name change to Ready Steady Goes Live!. Acts would now perform their songs live instead of miming to their records. The series ran until December 23rd, 1966, with the last show being titled Ready Steady Goes!.
In 1966, Jan & Dean, Sonny & Cher, the Mamas & the Papas, the Turtles, Otis Redding, Donovan and Bob Lind put on a charity concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
In 1966, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass became the first act to have four entries simultaneously in the Top 10 of the Billboard album chart.
In 1967, eighteen year old Steve Winwood left The Spencer Davis Group to join Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood in Traffic. Winwood had been with Spencer Davis since he was 15.
In 1967, at a Rolling Stones concert in Austria, a person threw a smoke bomb on the stage leading to a riot. 154 fans were arrested.
In 1968, the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed at the Paul Sauvé Arena in Montréal.
In 1969, Frank Sinatra's version of "My Way" entered the Billboard Hot 100 where it would rise to #27. In the UK, the song would spend an amazing 75 weeks in the Top 40, peaking at #5.
In 1969, the group Child, which included a young Bruce Springsteen, made their live debut in Wanamassa, NJ.
In 1970, Phil Spector completed final editing and mixing for the Beatles' 'Let It Be' album, 16 months after the "Get Back" project began.
In 1970, at Lyle Tuttle's shop on Seventh Street in San Francisco, Janis Joplin got two (and her only) tattoos – a Florentine bracelet on the outer part of her left wrist, and a little heart on one of her breasts. She explained, "See, the one on my wrist is for everybody, the one on my tit is for me and my friends, just a little treat for the boys, like icing on the cake."
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held a news conference in New York to discuss their appeal of the Immigration Department's decision to deport John.
On this day in 1973, "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence was the #1 song.
In 1974, the British pirate radio station Piccadilly Radio went on the air.
In 1977, Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumors' album went to #1 on the Billboard chart where it stayed for 31 weeks. Worldwide, the LP would sell over 25 million copies.
In 1987, U2 kicked off their 29-date North American Joshua Tree tour at the Arizona State Activity Centre. During the concert, Bono introduced a version of "Helter Skelter" by announcing "This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles. We're stealing it back."
In 1987, jazz drummer Buddy Rich died of complications caused by a brain tumor at the age of 69.
In 1990, Eric Clapton was fined and lost his drivers license for three months after being clocked at 105 MPH.
In 1998, model/dancer/singer Rob Pilatus, one half of pop duo Milli Vanilli, was found dead in a Frankfurt Hotel room after apparently taking a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol. He was 32.
In 1998, drummer (Venus) Cor van der Beek of the Shocking Blue died at the age of 49.
In 2001, Mariah Carey signed with Virgin for three albums in what was, at the time, the biggest recording deal in history.
In 2003, R&B singer Edwin Starr died following a heart attack at age 61.
In 2004, Paul Atkinson, guitarist for The Zombies, lost his battle with liver and kidney disease. He was 58. The band's biggest hits included "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" and "Time Of The Season."
In 2006, a John Lennon schoolbook containing the then-12-year-old's drawing of Lewis Carroll's poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" sold at auction for £126,500, ($239,733). The poem inspired Lennon to write the Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus." A ship's log book written by Lennon during a stormy trip to Bermuda in 1980 sold for £12,000, ($22,741). A letter from Paul McCartney to his bandmates Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr failed to get its £50,000, ($94,742) minimum required bid.
birthdays today include (among others): Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5) (33), Leon Russell (70), Emmylou Harris (65), David Robinson (Cars) (59) and Greg Camp (Smash Mouth) (45)
Happy Birthday to an old friend, the 45 rpm record officially turns 63 years old today!
The 45rpm record was initially introduced in 1949 by RCA Records as a smaller, more durable replacement for the heavy 78 shellac-based records of the time. The 45 was created by RCA as a competitive move against one their rival record companies, Columbia, which had just introduced the new microgroove 33 1/3 rpm LP. The number 45 came from taking 78 and subtracting Columbia's new 33 to equal the 45. Record companies and consumers alike faced an uncertain future as to which format would survive the 78rpm or the 45rpm; in what was known as the “War of the Speeds.” In 1949 Capitol and Decca started issuing the new LP format and RCA relented and issued its first LP in January 1950. But the 45 rpm was gaining in popularity and Columbia issued its first 45s in February 1951. Soon other record companies saw the mass consumer appeal the new format allowed and by 1954 more than 200 million 45s had been sold.
So On March 31, 1949, RCA Victor released "Texarkana Baby" b/w "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold. The first 45 to hit the Billboard charts was "A -- You're Adorable" by Perry Como, listed on the charts on May 7, 1949. The next week, the year's biggest hit appeared on the Billboard charts -- "Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” by Vaughn Monroe. The first 45rpm records were monaural and as stereo sound became more prevalent and popular in the 1960s, almost all 45rpm records were manufactured in stereo.
The historical and commercial significance of the 45rpm record has varied over time, the technological developments in recorded music and according to the audience of the particular artists and musical genres. In general, 45 records were more important to the music acts who sold music to the younger audiences (mostly teenagers) who tend to have limited financial resources and shorter attention spans. That said, the golden age for the 45 was in the 1950s and 1960s in early development of rock music. They were affordable and allowed artists the freedom of releasing a single song as opposed to a whole LP. Conversely, some singles helped to launch the sales of the albums that the musicians were promoting.
The length of the songs also evolved. In the 1950s, it was common for songs to be anywhere from two to two and a half minutes long and in the 1960s; the three minute single became the norm. This length was very convenient and fit the AM radio format very well. Millions of demo records were sent out to radio stations with specific instructions as to which song was supposed to be the ‘hit single,’ although there were some DJs that played the ‘B’ sides and those songs became hits. Elvis Presley was one of the first artists to release the ‘double-sided single’, meaning that both songs would ultimately end up on the charts. The Beatles followed suit and were also one of the first recording artists to push the envelope, so to speak and commonly had songs over the three-minute norm. In fact, there are some singles that had to be edited by radio stations and shortened to fit their particular formats. Don McLean’s 1972 hit “American Pie” is an example, the single was split up into two parts on the 45. The Beatles broke new ground in 1968 with their over seven minute epic “Hey Jude.”
The sales of the 45s were recorded on the record charts in most countries in a Top 40 format and these charts were often published in magazines (Billboard), television shows (American Bandstand) and radio programs often had the Top 40 countdown shows (Casey Casem). However, the 45 rpm record can never duplicate the sales figures from when the format was in its heyday because when the 45 was at its peak, it was the way to get music to the music consumer. Today there are too many other formats competing for the music dollar.
Nowadays, they still manufacture 45 rpm records, but on a much smaller scale than decades ago. Indie bands, r&b artists and punk bands love the format; it makes the music affordable for their target audience and, after all these years, 45 rpm records are still highly sought after by record collectors. Happy Birthday to an old friend, here’s for many more!
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a few vinyl record reviews from our friends at audaud.com
Sarah Vaughan – Snowbound – Roulette R 52091/PurePleasure – vinyl
Sarah Vaughan matched with dreamy strings.
Published on March 25, 2012
Sarah Vaughan – Snowbound – Roulette R 52091/ PurePleasure PPAN R52091 (1962) 180gm audiophile stereo vinyl ****:
(Sarah Vaughan, vocals; unknown string section, woodwinds, and rhythm section; Strings arranged and conducted by Don Costa; Originally produced by Teddy Reig; re-mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studio)
PurePleasure Records, from England, should be commended for re-issuing relatively ignored jazz issues from the 1950s and 1960s, and giving them the benefit of remastering in upgraded sound on 180gm vinyl.
Snowbound was issued during Vaughan’s years with Roulette Records which lasted from approximately 1960 to 1964. Most of Roulette’s issues were produced by Teddy Reig, an inimitable character, who was known for giving his label artists free rein to work their magic. That worked particularly well with the Count Basie Band.
For Snowbound, Sarah was matched with Don Costa, who did the arrangements and conducted the strings and woodwinds. For the eleven tracks on the album, largely ballad standards were chosen, such as “Stella by Starlight,” “I Fall in Love Too Easily,” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most.”
Sarah’s gorgeous alto and vibrato are put to good use and she does not coast, simply content to earn an easy paycheck. For this ballad collection, Vaughan’s only rival would have been Ella Fitzgerald. Both could have sung from a phone book as their voices were so glorious.
Sassy has her fun with the Gershwin’s “Blah, Blah, Blah,” one of the overlooked compositions of the two brothers. The strings and woodwinds are unobtrusive and give Vaughan the minimal support she needs. They are there for mood setting, and that they do.
On “I Remember You” Sarah shows her ability to bend a vocal or extend with vibrato, a vocal phrase. Her voice was in her prime, and it is a joy today to hear her make each song her own. The remastering by Sean Magee, done at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, is firstrate. The strings and woodwinds are mixed perfectly for listening as they are perfectly set on the sound stage leaving Vaughan upfront, but neither overwhelming, nor so distant as to be irrelevant.
For fans of Ms. Vaughan, Snowbound would be a welcome addition to their collection of this jazz vocalist supreme.
TrackList:
Side 1: Snowbound, I Hadn’t Anyone ‘til You; What’s Good about Goodbye; Stella By Starlight; Look to Your Heart; Oh, You Crazy Moon
Side 2: Blah, Blah, Blah; I Remember You; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Glad to be Unhappy; Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
Cassandra Wilson – Blue Light ‘Til Dawn – Blue Note/ PurePleasure (2 vinyl discs)
Cassandra Wilson’s Blue Note debut in stunning audiophile clarity.
Published on March 25, 2012
Cassandra Wilson – Blue Light ‘Til Dawn – Blue Note/ PurePleasure PPAN 81357 – 180gm (2 discs) vinyl (1993) ****½:
(Cassandra Wilson, vocals; Brandon Ross, guitars; Charlie Burnham, violin & mandocello; Kenny Davis, bass; Tony Cedras, accordion; Lance Carter, drums & percussion; Olu Dara, cornet; Kevin Johnson, percussion; Vinx, percussion; Don Byron, clarinet; Bill McClellan, drums & percussion; Jeff Haynes and Cyro Baptista, percussion; Gib Wharton, pedal steel guitar; Lonnie Plaxico, bass; Chris Whitley, National resophonic guitar)
Cassandra Wilson’s debut for Blue Note Records, Blue Light ‘Til Dawn, recorded in 1993, was the breakout recording for Ms. Wilson. She had recorded for Brooklyn’s experimental M-Base collective and was finding her voice as a jazz singer when Blue Light was released. It became a hit and Wilson’s career really took off.
Blue Light was blues-oriented and covered an eclectic range of material ranging from legendary bluesman, Robert Johnson to compositions from Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell, while also paying homage to Ann Peebles’ soul classic, “I Can’t Stand the Rain.”
The British audiophile label Pure Pleasure has given Wilson’s album the royal audiophile LP treatment with re-mastering by Blue Note’s Ron McMaster, done at Capitol Studios. The CD release has been languorously stretched out over two LPs with none of the sides exceeding fifteen minutes.
Right off with the Side A initial track, “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” you immediately hear the improvement in acoustics. Cassandra’s smoky, sultry phrasing matched to the steel string guitar’s tone, and Charlie Burnham’s violin set a mood that grabs your attention and tells you something special is happening here. Wilson’s delivery is impeccable and heartfelt. The soundstage is wide and crystal clear.
Percussion, accordion, and various guitars contribute to the down home Robert Johnson classic, “Come On in My Kitchen.” Hand drums and percussion over the trap set add to the intimate feel. Philly soul gets a different treatment on Thom Bell’s “Children of the Night,” as Brandon Ross’ classical guitar is mixed with three percussionists into a heady mix of voodoo rhythms that Wilson’s vocals dart in and out matching the mood being set. Robert Johnson reappears on “Hellhound On My Trail.” Ross’ steel string guitar is mated with Olu Dara’s cornet, and you can sense the escapee just one step ahead of the hounds hot on his trail. Joni Mitchell’s “Black Crow” has more scene-setting as all six percussionists stir the pot while Don Byron’s clarinet provides fills. Wilson’s sultry voice captivates.
“Sankofa,” with an African theme, is a solo for Wilson, and her vocal mix tracks are sublime. Cyro Baptista’s percussion laden, “Estrellas” is ear candy for fans of drum rhythms. Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” has additional lyrics from “Angel” by Jimi Hendrix. A personal favorite of mine, Cassandra does Van straight ahead. Her vocal range and warm phrasing is so inviting, and Charlie Burnham’s violin solo is a nice touch.
Side D is closed with the title track, and “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” The former benefits from more percussion and Wilson tells the story of a passionate meeting between lovers. The pedal steel guitar of Gib Wharton and violin of Charlie Burnham contribute to the relaxed and potentially memorable late night meeting. Chris Whitley’s National resophonic guitar is the sole instrument Cassandra uses to interpret the latter soul classic. It is given an acoustic deep South blues reading and you can sense it being played in a juke joint at 2 AM.
If you want the “definitive” version of Blue Night ‘Til Dawn, wait no longer. PurePleasure Records’ double-LP issue is sonic bliss.
[Another testament to the superiority of carefully remastered vinyl. Perhaps the highest-res stereo digital has the capability of being closer to the original recording—whatever it is—but the aural artifacts of the best vinyl remain the most pleasing to most ears...Ed.]
TrackList:
Side A: You Don’t Know What Love Is, Come On in to My Kitchen, Tell Me You’ll Wait for Me
Side B: Children of the Night, Hellhound on My Trail, Black Crow
Side C: Sankofa, Estrellas, Redbone, Tupelo Honey
Side D: Blue Light ‘Til Dawn, I Can’t Stand the Rain
Duster Bennett – Smiling Like I’m Happy – Blue Horizon/ Pure Pleasure Records (vinyl)
Duster possessed an uncanny ability to play harmonica, guitar and bass drum simultaneously.
Published on March 30, 2012
Duster Bennett – Smiling Like I’m Happy – Blue Horizon (1968)/ Pure Pleasure Records (2011) 7-63208 180-gram stereo audiophile vinyl, 40:35 ***:
(Duster Bennett – harmonica, guitar, bass drum, high-hat cymbal; Stella Sutton – vocals; Peter Green – guitar; John McVie – bass; Mick Fleetwood – drums; Ham Richmond – piano)
The British blues scene thrived in the sixties. Popular rock groups like The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Animals and Led Zeppelin rebranded American blues and in some ways reintroduced it to their American fan base. However, there was a more traditional blues scene with the likes of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Long John Baldry and Fleetwood Mac. These bands thrived on the more austere parameters of this genre, without the guarantee of commercial success.
Among this hardcore blues establishment was a modern day one-man-band named Duster Bennett (not a bad moniker at that). He possessed an uncanny ability to play harmonica, guitar (a 1952 Les Paul Goldtop given to him by Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green) and bass drum simultaneously. Green and Top Topham performed with him on mostly original “Jimmy Reed” inspired material. Additionally he was a session player, recording with John Peel (Top Gear) and received some notoriety as an opening act and band member of Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in 1970. His career stalled in the seventies, but he remained popular on the local blues club circuit. Unfortunately in 1976 after performing with Memphis Slim, he died in a tragic car accident.
Pure Pleasure Records has re-mastered his 1968 Blue Horizon debut, Smiling Like I’m Happy to state-of-the-art 180-gram audiophile vinyl. Twelve concise tracks (40 minutes) of predominately original material is performed by the solitary blues band that is Duster Bennett. He is an energetic harp player as indicated by the opening track, “Worried Mind” and is credible as a singer. The format of bass drum-guitar-harmonica shifts between up tempo and slower numbers. However, this concept is hit-or-miss, occasionally affected by repetition. However, “Trying To Paint It In The Sky” is more nuanced with its slower groove, and “Country Jam” reinvigorates the record with frenetic play, while “Got A Tongue In Your Head” is effective driving, electric blues. “Life Is A Dirty Deal” attempts a “down and dirty” statement, but falls short.
Occasional piano runs by Bennett (under the alias, Ham Richmond) add some coloration, but not enough. On “Times Like These” he elicits a two-part harmony from girlfriend Stella Sutton which adds a touch of rootsy charm. The indisputable highlight is the track with Fleetwood Mac, “My Love Is Your Love” Mick Fleetwood and John McVie have always been one of the tightest rhythm sections to ever play and this anchors the tune. Peter Green’s crashing, searing guitar licks are noteworthy. Bennett executes some rolling barrelhouse piano chords and there is significant chemistry. More of this dynamic would have elevated the project.
Though uneven, Smiling Like I’m Happy” is an interesting glimpse of a peripheral contributor to British blues. Pure Pleasure Records has reproduced this album with excellent stereo separation and instrument tone (especially on the harmonica). The liner notes (from 1968) include a humorous description of how to play this stereo record on mono “reproducers”. [That’s strange—since the stereodisc came out in 1958...Ed.]
TrackList:
Side One: Worried Mind; Life Is A Dirty Deal; Country Jam; Trying To Paint It In The Sky; Times Like These; My Lucky Day
Side Two: Got a Tongue In Your Head; Jumping At Shadows; 40 Minutes From Town; Shame, Shame, Shame; My Love Is Your Love; Shady Little Baby
Nina Simone – Nina Live At The Village Gate – Colpix (1962)/ Pure Pleasure Records (vinyl)
The legendary jazz performer’s 1961 Village Gate set is brilliant.
Published on March 29, 2012
Nina Simone – Nina Live At The Village Gate – Colpix (1962)/ Pure Pleasure Records (2011) PPAN SCP 421 180gr audiophile stereo vinyl, 39:45 ****1/2:
(Nina Simone – piano, vocals; Al Schackman – guitar; Chris White – bass; Bob Hamilton – drums)
Eunice Kathleen Waymon (a.k.a. Nina Simone) did not seem destined to be the next great jazz/blues vocalist. She was a classical piano student, who did not get into Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music (an incident which sparked her predilection toward civil rights), but ended up at Juilliard in New York. Her lifetime appreciation of classical composers like Bach, Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert provided a formal background that made her comfortable with jazz, r&b, gospel and popular music of the day.
As the story goes, a demo led to a deal with Bethlehem Records. The stunning debut included a memorable version of “I Loves You Porgy” from the Gershwin musical. Later recordings of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, “I Put A Spell On You” and “Wild Is The Wind” enhanced her reputation as a versatile and daring performer. Simone’s albums have been released continuously, long after her passage. She is revered among musicians in numerous genres.
Nina Live At The Village Gate is an unusual live set that showcases the vocal and instrumental talent of this performer. The opening track “Just In Time” (from the Broadway play, Bells Are Ringing) sets the tone for this unpredictable artist. With her vibrato-alto, Simone removes the song from its popular origins and reinvents it with an edgy interpretation. Unlike her peers, she is an adept musician, combining rhythmic chords and individual notation with forceful technique. Her timing is never interrupted by having to sing and play concurrently. The piano accompaniment of “He Was Good To Me” reflects the classical training as it complements the jazzy nuanced vocals. Simone expresses heartbreak with wistful agony. On the sole instrumental, “Bye Bye Blackbird”, the virtuosity is displayed with transitions from harmonic piano runs to syncopated Monk riffs. Her ability to blend with the rhythm section or lead the group is impressive. There is no doubt that the audience is enthralled by her.
More than stylized covers of standards, the album unleashes some unexpected gems. “House Of The Rising Sun” reverts to 3/4 time as a folk song. Guitarist Al Schackman offers a nimble solo that is contrasted by the ethereal arrangement. Subsequent renditions by Bob Dylan (who allegedly based his 1961 version on this one) and The Animals (with their organ-laden 1964 hit) followed her lead and brought the Appalachian standard into modern context. Known for her dedication to civil rights, a topical bluesy “Brown Baby” features gospel styling and “voice effects”.
Embracing the jazz culture’s awareness of African culture, “Zunga” is revelatory. A chant-based work song from West Africa, Simone pieces together a lighthearted piano intro before morphing into the steady pulse of the number. It is difficult to compare this singer with others. She is truly unique, like a “singing method actor”. Her spirituality is always on display, especially on tracks like “If He Changed My Name” and “Children Go Where I Send You”.
Nina Live At The Village Gate exudes a raw energy—partly due to the live, in-person vinyl sonics—that brings a definitive spotlight to a jazz pioneer.
TrackList:
Side 1: Just In Time; He Was Good To Me; House Of The Rising Sun; Bye Bye Blackbird
Side 2: Brown Baby; Zungo; If He Changed My Name; Children Go Where I Send You
Special thanks to John at http://www.audaud.com for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION focuses on recordings of interest to audiophiles and collectors, with an accent on surround sound for music, and on all hi-res disc formats. Over 100 SACD, DVD Video/Audio and standard CD reviews are published during each month, and our archives go back to January 2001.
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and in music history for march 31st:
In 1949, after nine years of development, RCA Victor introduced the first 45 rpm record, a 7-inch wonder promising better sound and easier playability than the current standard, the 10" 78 rpm record. It was also designed to compete with the Long Playing record introduced by Columbia a year earlier.
In 1956, eleven-year-old Brenda Lee made her television debut on ABC's "Ozark Jamboree," singing the Hank Williams song, "Jambalaya."
In 1957, billed as "the nation's only atomic-powered singer," Elvis Presley played two shows at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.
Also in 1957, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sun labelmates Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins began their only tour together.
In 1958, Chuck Berry released the single "Johnny B. Goode." The original lyrics referred to Johnny as a "colored boy," but, as Berry later explained, he changed it to "country boy" to ensure radio play. Rolling Stone magazine placed it at #1 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs Of All Time."
In 1960, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters recorded "Finger Poppin' Time."
In 1962, the Shirelles released the single "Soldier Boy." i found a 45 rpm record on youtube!
In 1964, the Beatles set a recording industry record that may never be equaled. They held the top 5 positions on the US singles chart with "Can't Buy Me Love" at number 1, "Twist and Shout" at number 2, "She Loves You" at number 3, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" at number 4 and "Please Please Me" at number 5. In Canada, they had nine of the Top 10 singles, while the Australian charts saw them occupying the first six places.
In 1966, the Elvis Presley film "Frankie and Johnny," co-starring Donna Douglas, Harry Morgan, Sue Ane Langdon, and Nancy Kovack, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.
Inj 1967, at the Finsbury Park Astoria Theatre in North London, Jimi Hendrix played his first UK concert on a bill with the Walker Brothers, Cat Stevens, and Englebert Humperdinck. It was also the first time Hendrix set fire to his guitar on stage. He had to be taken to the hospital because of resulting burns to his hands.
In 1967, the final installment of "Where the Action Is," a weekday spin-off of "American Bandstand," aired on ABC-TV.
In 1969, John Lennon and his new wife Yoko Ono left their "bed-in" at the Amsterdam Hilton to make a quick trip to Vienna for the premiere of Yoko's new film "Rape," a trip detailed in the next Beatles single, "The Ballad Of John And Yoko."
In 1972, the official Beatles Fan Club disbanded. The Beatles Monthly magazine had ceased three years previously.
Television appeared at CBGB’s in New York City in 1974.
In 1977, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during the intermission of Elvis Presley's concert, he became too ill to return to the stage. The show was cancelled and Elvis was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Memphis the following day, suffering from fatigue and intestinal flu.
In 1978, Wings released their 'London Town' album.
In 1982, the Doobie Brothers announced their break-up after 12 years of performing together.
In 1984, Kenny Loggins started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Footloose” – the theme from the film with the same name, a #6 hit in the UK.
In 1986, O'Kelly Isley of The Isley Brothers died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 48. As a trio, the Isleys started as a Gospel group in the early 1950s, switching to R&B in the latter half of the decade. Their first big hit was "Shout" in 1959, followed in 1962 by the original version of "Twist and Shout", later covered by the Beatles. The Isley Brothers' biggest hit came in 1969 with the million-selling "It's Your Thing."
In 1987, Prince released his "Sign O' The Times" album.
In 1989, the World's Largest Twist Party took place when 2,248 twisters joined singer Chubby Checker at Disneyland as part of their "Blast to the Past" celebration.
In 1990, at the Starplex Amphitheater in Dallas, Cher began her 55-date Heart of Stone World Tour, which grossed more than $70 million.
In 1992, Def Leppard released 'Adrenalize,' their fifth studio album and the first since the 1991 death of guitarist Steve Clark.
In 1994, Madonna made a memorable visit to "The Late Show With David Letterman" on CBS-TV. The network had to delete 13 offending words from the audio track before the show aired. She also handed Letterman a pair of her panties. Robin Williams later described the segment as a "battle of wits with an unarmed woman."
In 1995, the singer Selena was killed at age 23 by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar. In 1997, Warner Brothers made a film based on Selena's life starring Jennifer Lopez.
In 1995, a member of the audience rushed the stage at a Jimmy Page/Robert Plant concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, with intent to stab guitarist Page "to end his Satanic music." Two security guards who apprehended the would-be assassin were stabbed instead, but they recovered from their injuries.
In 2006, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry announced that digital music sales almost tripled around the world in 2005, reaching $1.1 billion in value.
In 2007, a new world record for the longest non-stop concert was set by hundreds of musicians in Japan. The performance began on the evening of March 23 in the city of Omi, with musicians between the ages of six and 96 taking turns with more than 2,000 tunes being performed over 182 hours. Organizers praised the musicians, one of whom carried on despite a major earthquake during her piano piece. The previous world record was set in Canada in 2001 with 181 hours. why?....
birthdays today include: Mick Ralphs, guitar, Mott the Hoople, Bad Company (1944), trumpeter Herb Alpert (1935) and Angus Young of AC/DC (1955)
