In 1958, Ritchie Valens performs a concert at the Pacoima Junior High, a school he had attended. The show was recorded and posthumously released in 1960 as “ Ritchie Valens Live at Pacoima Junior High.”
1961 saw Elvis Presley's soundtrack to "Blue Hawaii" reach #1 on the album charts, where it remained for 20 weeks. With sales of 2 million, it is Elvis’s best-selling album to date.
In 1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released the song "Hey Joe" in England.
"War Is Over! If You Want It!" billboards go up in 11 cities around the world in 1969, as a Christmas message from John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Gary Glitter’s song "I Didn't Know I Loved You (Til I Saw You Rock and Roll)" hits #35 in the US in 1972 and subsequently becomes a sports anthem for many sports.
In 1972, soul crooner Billy Paul hits #1 with the song "Me And Mrs. Jones."
Birthday wishes to Benny Andersson of ABBA.
Ludwig von Beethoven was born in 1770.
On December 16, 1997, Nicolette Larson ("Lotta Love") dies of cerebral edema.
The Who break up in 1983.
Being too young to perform, the Beatles’ George Harrison is deported from Germany in 1960.
Ray Charles receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1981.
"Saturday Night Fever" film opens in 1977.
The Paul McCartney composition called, "Woman," was recorded by Peter & Gordon in 1965.
Eugene Farrar became the first singer to broadcast on radio when he sang "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in New York in 1907.
1970 saw five singles and five albums by CCR certified gold. The singles were: "Down on the Corner," "Lookin’ out My Back Door," "Travelin' Band," "Bad Moon Rising" and "Up Around The Bend." The LPs were "Cosmo's Factory," "Willy and the Poor Boys,” "Green River,” "Bayou Country" and "Creedance Clearwater Revival."
In 1974, saying he felt that now was the time to move on; guitarist Mick Taylor announced he was leaving The Rolling Stones.
In 1975, the Bay City Rollers earned a gold record for their first US single, "Saturday Night."
In 1977, the Bee Gees were awarded a gold record for "How Deep is Your Love," the fourth of their seven US number one singles. The song would later become the subject of a failed copyright infringement suit five years later, when an amateur songwriter claimed the brothers had lifted the melody from a composition he had written.
1991 saw Chubby Checker file a lawsuit against McDonald's Restaurants of Canada. Checker was seeking $14 million in damages because they allegedly used an imitation of his voice (the song "The Twist" had been used in a French fry commercial).
In 1995, The Beatles' "Free As A Bird" peaks at #2 on the UK charts and #6 in the US. The song was written by John Lennon and performed by him on piano as a rough demo shortly before he was murdered. The track was then completed by the remaining Beatles at Paul McCartney's home studio.
Birthday wishes to the Hollies' Tony Hicks (he was born in 1943).
Happy Birthday to Z.Z. Top guitarist, Billy Gibbons (1949).
In 1956, a New York Episcopal minister predicts that the whole "Elvis Presley craze" will pass. He calls Presley a "whirling dervish of sex.”
Christopher Thorn (guitar, mandolin and harmonica) of Blind Melon’s celebrates a birthday (1968).
In 1990, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne perform a concert in Sioux City, ND, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the massacre at Wounded Knee.
Raising more than $5,000 for an orphanage in India in 1994, Blur plays a fundraiser at England’s Colchester Sixth Form College. The school’s orchestra plays with the group on “Parklife” and other songs.
In 2003, the “Cold Mountain” soundtrack was released. White Stripes singer/guitarist Jack White contributed five songs, including two new compositions.
In 2004, amid many rumors, Jack White and actress Renée Zellweger confirm that they have ended their to their two-year romance.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
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