This Date In Music History- March 23

Birthdays:

Ric Ocasek- Cars (1949)

Chaka Khan (1953)

Damon Albarn- Blur (1968)

Marti Pellow- Wet Wet Wet (1966)


They Are Missed:

Bill Kenny of the legendary harmony group the Ink Spots died in 1978.

Jeanine Deckers - aka the Singing Nun - killed herself in 1985 as part of a suicide pact (age 51). In 1963 she went to #1 with "Dominique."

In 2008, Neil Aspinall, who ran the Apple Corps music empire for the Beatles from 1970 – 2007 died at a hospital in New York from cancer (age 66). A school friend of Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he was regarded by some of the band as the "fifth Beatle" becoming he the Beatles' road manager in 1961 before becoming their personal assistant. Aspinall had also played background instruments on Beatles tracks including “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Within You Without You” and “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite.”


History:

Elvis Presley recorded "Can't Help Falling In Love" in 1961.

The Beach Boys released "Surfin' USA” in 1963.

The movie "Blackboard Jungle" (which launched the featured song, "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley) was released in 1955.

Johnny Cash recorded "Ring Of Fire" in 1963

In 1969, the Rally for Decency in Miami attracted 30,000 people, including Jackie Gleason and the Lettermen. The rally protested "longhairs and weird dressers" and later was commended by President Richard Nixon.

In 2004, Usher released Confessions, featuring the hit singles "Burn" and "Yeah!" Allegedly inspired by his break-up with TLC's Chili, the album tops the Billboard 200 chart.

In 1996, "Real Love," a 1979 John Lennon demo finished in 1995 by the other Beatles, became the second new Beatles single to chart in less than three months. Released as part of 'The Beatles Anthology' recordings and TV special, it reaches #11 – not bad for a band that broke up in 1970.

John Lennon's book In His Own Write is published in Britain in 1964.

In today's issue of Rolling Stone in 1978, it was reported that Fleetwood Mac were planning on performing in Moscow. However, their adviser Michael Shapiro says there's one small condition: "Everything of course, depends on world peace."

Former CCR front man John Fogerty went to #1 on the US album chart in 1985 with “Centerfield.”

John Lennon was ordered to leave the US within 60 days by the immigration authorities in 1973; he then began a long fight to win his “Green Card” which he was given on July 27, 1976.

The film of The Concert For Bangla Desh featuring George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton premiered in New York in 1972.

Ruby and the Romantics went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Our Day Will Come.”

The Police signed with A&M Records in 1978.

The Soul Train Music Awards debuted in 1987. It was the first televised awards ceremony to pay exclusive homage to black producers, songwriters and recording artists in the music industry.

Pope John Paul II's "Abba Pater" was released in 1999. The 11 tracks are filled with chanting and praying with musical accompaniment. Ohmmmm...