Sunday April 12
Pat Travers- (1954)
Vince Gill (1957)
Al Jarreau (1940)
Will Sergeant - Echo & The Bunnymen (1958)
Guy Berryman – Coldplay (1978)
Art Alexakis - Everclear (1962)
Amy Ray - Indigo Girls (1964)
Sean Welch - The Beautiful South (1965)
Brendon Urie - Panic at the Disco (1987)
Montserrat Caballe - Opera singer (1933)
Herbie Hancock - Jazz/fusion musician, composer (1940)
John Kay – Steppenwolf (1944)
David Cassidy - The Partridge Family (1950)
In 1975, legendary singer Josephine Baker died in France several days after a massive stroke at age 68.
Boxcar Willie died at age 67 in 1999. The country singer's real name was Lecil Travis Martin and his hobo character was known around the world.
The late Tiny Tim ("Tiptoe Thru The Tulips") was born in 1930.
The late Billy Vaughn ("Sail Along Silvery Moon") was born in 1919.
"Dead Man's Curve" almost comes true for Jan Berry of Jan & Dean as he crashed his car on that stretch of Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood in 1966.
Bill Haley recorded 'Rock Around The Clock' at Pythian Temple studios in New York City in 1954. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world. The song was used over the opening titles for the film 'Blackboard Jungle', and went on to be a world-wide #1 and the biggest selling pop single with sales over 25 million. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, 'Rock Around The Clock' was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights.
Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle And Roll" was released in 1954.
"Louie Louie Day" was held in Olympia, Washington in 1984 as an unsuccessful attempt is made to make it the official state song.
In 1963, Bob Dylan performed his first major solo concert at Town Hall in New York City. A Billboard reviewer says Dylan is the "stuff of which legends are made…His talent will be around for a long, long time."
In 1990, the International Astronomical Union announces that four asteroids discovered in ’83 and ’84 have been named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr. They are asteroids 4147 – 4150 respectively. I did not know that…..
Life magazine does a story on The Doors in 1968 but, like so many others, it focuses on Jim Morrison. They push the singer’s myth right over the top with the quote “he appears in public and on his records to be moody, temperamental, enchanted in the mind and extremely stoned on something.”
Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" was released in 1969.
USA for Africa's "We Are The World" album was released in 1985.
In 2000, Metallica filed suit against Napster, the University of Southern California, Yale University and Indiana University for copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device and violations of the Racketeering Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Monday April 13
Lester Chambers - The Chambers Brothers (1940)
Bill Conti - Composer (1942)
Aaron Lewis- Staind (1972)
Brian Pendleton - The Pretty Things (1944)
Jack Casady - Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna (1944)
Lowell George - Little Feat (1945)
Hillel Slovak - Red Hot Chili Peppers (1962)
Al Green (1946)
Peabo Bryson (1951)
Max Weinberg - E Street Band (1951)
Jimmy Destri – Blondie (1954)
Folk singer Burl Ives died at age 85 in 1995. He was the face of folk music in the late 1950s. As an actor he played Big Daddy in the 1958 movie Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and narrated the Christmas TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
In 2005, rock 'n' roll pianist Johnnie Johnson died (age 80) in St. Louis. A member of Chuck Berry's band, Johnson co-composed many of Berry's seminal hits and was the inspiration for the anthem "Johnny B. Goode."
In 1967, the Rolling Stones played in Warsaw, Germany - their first gig behind the Iron Curtain. When people without tickets crashed the venue, police dispersed them with tear gas.
The Beatles were named Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in 1965. There’s a surprise…..
Elton John went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with 'Bennie And The Jets', his second US #1 (#37 in the UK).
Paul McCartney's 'Band On The Run', went to #1 on the US album charts in 1974. McCartney's third US #1, which went on to sell over 6 million copies world-wide
Rage Against The Machine appeared on NBC's Saturday Night Live in 1996. Their two-song performance was cut to one song when the band attempted to hang inverted American flags from their amplifiers.
In 1997, the Notorious B.I.G. was at #1 on the US album charts with 'Life After Death.'
In 1971, the Rolling Stones released "Brown Sugar" the first record on their own label, Rolling Stones Records.
The Broadway musical "Grease" closed after 3,883 performances in 1980.
The single "We Are the World" hit #1 in the U.S. in 1985.
Bobby Goldsboro started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1968 with 'Honey', it made #2 on the UK chart and also #2 when re- issued in 1975.
"The Grand Ole Opry" debuted on television in 1985.
Tuesday April 14
DaBrat (1974)
John Bell - Widespread Panic (1962)
Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple (1945)
Loretta Lynn (1935)
Buddy Knox (1933)
Martyn Le Noble - Porno For Pyros (1965)
Win Butler - Arcade Fire (1980)
Larry Ferguson - Hot Chocolate (1948) (1975 US #3 single 'You Sexy Thing')
Dennis Bryon, Amen Corner (1949)
Tony Burrows, singer, Edison Lighthouse (1942) (1970 UK #1 single 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes'). Holds the record for having four records in the British Top Ten at once, all under different names. Edison Lighthouse ‘Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), White Plains, ‘My Baby Loves Lovin', The Pipkins ‘Gimme Dat Ding,’ and the Brotherhood of Man's ‘United We Stand,’ all of which were hits in both the US and UK.
The Pretenders bass player Pete Farndon died from a drug overdose in 1983. He was sacked from the group on June 14th 1982, (two days before Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott was found dead of heart failure).
Farndon was in the midst of forming a new band with former Clash drummer Topper Headon when he died.
Thurston Harris ("Little Bitty Pretty One") died of a heart attack in 1990.
Don Ho ("Tiny Bubbles") died of heart failure in 2007.
Madonna scored her seventh US #1 single in 1990 with “Vogue,” also a UK #1 hit.
Kurt Cobain was cremated at the Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle in 1994. The death certificate listed Cobain's occupation as Poet/Musician and his type of business as Punk Rock.
The Bee Gees released their first English single in 1967, "New York Mining Disaster 1941.” It was released with a promotional slogan announcing 'The most significant talent since The Beatles'. The record became a Top 20 hit in the UK and US.
Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame" was released in 1955.
In 1980, a New Jersey state assemblyman introduced a resolution to make Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" the official state song.
Tom Petty released his first solo album "Full Moon Fever" in 1989.
The Beatles were introduced to the Rolling Stones for the first time backstage in Richmond, England in 1963. George Harrison says he's particularly impressed by the unsigned band's performance.
Led Zeppelin started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with 'Houses Of The Holy', also a #1 in the UK. The young girl featured on the cover of the album climbing naked up Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland was Samantha Gates, who was 6 years old at the time of the photo shoot. Iconic cover or kiddie porn?
In 1967, Country Joe & the Fish performed at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on the eve on a Vietnam War protest march. The next day 100,000 people would march to Kezar Stadium to hear Vietnam vet David Duncan speak.
In 1969, the recording of 'The Ballad Of John and Yoko' took place, with just two Beatles, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Paul played bass, drums and piano with John on guitars and lead vocals.
The final "Where The Action Is" aired on ABC-TV in 1967.
The Beatles recorded "Paperback Writer" in 1966.
Wednesday April 15
Linda Perry- 4 Non Blondes (1965)
Samantha Fox (1966)
Graeme Clark - Wet Wet Wet (1966)
Ed O'Brien – Radiohead (1968)
Pete Shelley – Buzzcocks (1955)
Allan Clarke – Hollies (1942)
Roy Clark ("Yesteday, When I Was Young") turns 76.
Dave Edmunds (1944)
Bessie Smith - Blues singer (1894)
In 2001, punk pioneer Joey Ramone (Jeffrey Ross Hyman) singer of The Ramones died after losing a long battle with lymphatic cancer (age 49).
John Fred ("Judy In Disguise") died in 2005 after being hospitalized with kidney problems.
Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1967 with 'Somethin' Stupid'. They became the only father and daughter act ever to score a #1 single.
Roberta Flack started a six week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with the Ewan MacColl song 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'.
The Buffalo Springfield performed for the first time in 1966, opening for the Byrds in San Bernardino, California.
Buddy Holly's Fender Stratocaster guitar was stolen at a St. Louis, Missouri concert in 1958.
Aretha Franklin recorded "Think" in 1968.
In 1971, the Beatles won an Oscar for Best Film Music (Original Song Score) for the Paul McCartney-penned "Let It Be."
Also in 1971, Rolling Stone announced that the Illinois Crime Commission had compiled a list of "drug-oriented rock records." The list included Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale." No “Snoopy vs.the Red Baron?”
Topping the singles charts in 1971 were Tony Orlando & Dawn with the shamelessly sentimental "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." And we still do that……
Jerry Garcia's ashes were scattered near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in 1996. A portion of the remains of the Grateful Dead guitarist had already been deposited into the Ganges in India.
Thursday April 16
Dan Rieser - Marcy Playground (1966)
Jimmy Osmond -The Osmonds (the youngest Osmond 1963)
David Pirner - Soul Asylum (1964)
Bill Spooner - The Tubes (1949)
Herbie Mann - jazz flautist (1930)
Born on this day in 1929, US singer Roy Hamilton, had the 1955 US No.6 single 'Unchained Melody.' Died of a stroke on 29th July 1969.
The late Henry Mancini ("Moon River") was born in 1924.
Born on this day in 1939 , Dusty Springfield, UK singer who had her first UK hit single in 1963 with ‘I Only Want To Be With You’, which reached #4, a 1966 UK #1 & US #4 single with 'You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles. She died on March 3rd 1999.
Skip Spence, an original member of Jefferson Airplane and founding member of Moby Grape, died of lung cancer in a San Francisco hospital in 1999 (age 52). He had battled schizophrenia and alcoholism.
Born on this day in 1971, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, best known as Selena, Mexican American singer "the queen of Tejano music.” Her album Selena Live! won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album at the 36th Grammy Awards. Yolanda Saldívar the president of her fan club, murdered her on March 31, 1995. Warner Brothers made a film based on her life starring Jennifer Lopez in 1997.
Buddy Holly released his first single, "Blue Days, Black Nights" in 1956.
The Rolling Stones first album was released in the UK in 1964, it went to #1 two weeks later and stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, with 11 weeks at #1.
Paul McCartney headlined a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1993 to celebrate 'Earth Day' along with Ringo Starr, Don Henley and Steve Miller.
McCartney had last performed there as a member of the Beatles in 1965.
Desmond Dekker and the Aces were at #1 on the UK singles chart in 1969 with 'The Israelites', making Dekker the first Jamaican artist to have an UK #1 single.
The Electric Light Orchestra played their first live show in England in 1972.
Paul McCartney appeared in the TV special James Paul McCartney with his wife, Linda, and his band Wings in 1973.
In 1977, Fleetwood Mac released "Dreams," which becames their first chart-topping single.
The first U.S. Hollies concert was at New York's Paramount Theatre in 1965.
The first U.S. Queen concert was at Regis College in Denver, Colorado in 1974.
Dean Martin recorded "Everybody Loves Somebody" in 1964.
Friday April 17
Victoria Beckham - Posh Spice (1974)
Michael Sembello - guitarist, singer (1954)
Billy Fury was born in Liverpool, England in 1941. Molded by his manager as a British Elvis, Fury, with his suggestive stage presence and raw delivery, was an immeasurable influence on groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Liz Phair - Singer, songwriter (1967)
Born on this day in 1967, Matt Chamberlain one of the world's most widely-heard session drummers. Worked with, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Pearl Jam, Tori Amos, Morrissey, Fiona Apple, Christina Aguilera, Dido, David Bowie, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant, Robbie Williams, Kanye West, Garbage, John Mayer and William Shatner.
Pete Shelley (McNeish) - The Buzzcocks (1955)
Don Kirshner - Music publisher, created The Monkees (1934) He was responsible for giving Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, and Carole King early writing jobs.
James Keenan - Tool (1964)
In 1983, Felix Pappalardi died at age 41 after being shot by his wife in their New York apartment. The producer worked on records by Cream, Hot Tuna, Mountain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Earl King the New Orleans Blues guitarist died in 2003 (age 69). King wrote the classic song Come On, (Let The Good Times Roll), covered by Jimi Hendrix.
Linda McCartney died after a long battle against cancer in 1998. Married Paul McCartney in 1969 when she was working as a photographer. As well as a being a member of Wings, she became an animal rights campaigner and launched her own brand of vegetarian food.
Reggae drummer and percussion player Carlton Barrett of The Wailers was shot dead outside his house in Kingston, Jamaica in 1987. Joined Bob Marley and The Wailers in 1970, wrote the Marley song ‘War.’ Barrett was the originator of the one-drop rhythm, a percussive drumming style.
While on tour in the UK in 1960, 21-year-old US singer Eddie Cochran was killed when the taxi he was traveling in crashed into a lamppost on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, (where a plaque now commemorates the event). Songwriter Sharon Sheeley and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Cochran's current hit at the time was 'Three Steps to Heaven'.
In 1974, Vinnie Taylor guitarist with the rock 'n roll revival band Sha Na Na was found dead in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Charlottesville, Virginia from a drug overdose. Sha Na Na played at the Woodstock Festival, their 90-second appearance in the Woodstock film brought the group national attention.
Bob Dylan's debut album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' was at #1 on the UK chart in 1965.
In 1971, all four Beatles had solo singles in the UK charts, Paul McCartney with 'Another Day', John Lennon, 'Power To The People', George Harrison, 'My Sweet Lord' and Ringo Starr, 'It Don't Come Easy.'
Appearing at the OK Hotel in Seattle in 1991, Nirvana played ‘Smell’s Like Teen Spirit’ live for the first time.
Them made their first concert appearance in 1964. Leading the band Them, an 18-year-old Van Morrison rocks the Maritime Hotel, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the group's debut performance.
The Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda" was released in 1965.
Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" was #1 on the British albums chart in 1982.
Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatles solo album, McCartne in 1970.
The versatile musician played every instrument of the wonderous lo-fi recording.
A British fan who claims he caught the flu off of Beatle Paul McCartney attempted to auction off the germ on eBay in 2003. Brilliant…..
In 2004, Kurt Cobain's right-handed 1960's Mosrite Gospel Mark IV guitar sold at an auction for $117,500. At the same sale, the piano on which Elton John wrote "Your Song" sold for $164,500.
In 2002, music weekly The NME published a list of the 50 most influential icons. At No.10, Public Enemy, 9, U2, 8, The Jam, 7, Radiohead, 6, Oasis, 5, The Sex Pistols, 4, David Bowie, 3, The Stone Roses, 2, The Beatles and No.1 The Smiths. No Rolling Stones or Dylan?
In Washington's FBI lab reported it cannot determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie.” We still don’t know the words….
Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool" in 1958.
Pink Floyd's album 'The Dark Side of the Moon' went gold in the US in 1973.
The LP went on to stay in the charts for more than ten years and became the longest charting rock record of all time.
Saturday April 18
Greg Eklund - Everclear (1970)
Mark 'Bez' Berry - Happy Mondays (1964)
Mark Tremonti – Creed (1974)
Glen D.Hardin - The Crickets (1939)
Mike Vickers - Manfred Mann (1942)
Hayley Mills ("Let's Get Together") is 63
Les Pattinson - Echo and the Bunnymen (1958)
Mike Vickers 1941 - Musician (Manfred Mann)
Bernard Edwards bass guitarist and producer from Chic, died of pneumonia in a Tokyo Hotel room while touring Japan in 1996. He also worked with ABC, Power Station, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry, Air Supply, and Rod Stewart.
Alexander "Skip" Spence - Moby Grape, Jefferson Airplane (1946) Died April 16, 1999.
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was born in Vinton, Louisiana in 1924. The musician got his name from a high school teacher who said he had a "voice like a gate." He's since become a legend in Texas music.
Gene Autry recorded "Back in the Saddle Again" in 1939.
Alice Cooper's first TV special, "Welcome To My Nightmare: The Making Of A Record Album" aired in 1975.
In 1981, Yes announced its break-up after 13 years.
Michael Jackson went into surgery in Los Angeles in 1984. Doctors performed scalp surgery to repair damage done after Jackson's hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial on January 27.
In 1985, Liberace grossed more than $2,000,000 for his engagement at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. He broke his own record of $1.6 million.
Also in 1985, Wham! became the first Western act to release a pop album, "Make It Big," in China.
The album "Twice Shy" was released by Great White in 1989.
In 1964, the Beatles appeared on the UK TV comedy program The Morecambe and Wise Show, playing ‘This Boy’, ‘All My Loving’, and ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ and also participate in comedy sketches with Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. The Beatles also held the UK and US No.1 position on this day with 'Can't Buy Me Love'.
The Neil Young movie, "Journey Through The Past" debuts at the Dallas Film Festival in 1973.
"American Bandstand" aired a taped telephone interview with the Beatles in 1964.
In 1973, Declan Costello played his first concert since leaving the band Rusty at the Barmy Arms pub in Twickenham, England. The computer programmer-turned-musician, born with the last name McManus, later changes his first name to Elvis.
John Lennon released "Stand by Me" in 1975.
Holland/Dozier/Holland, responsible for a mind-boggling string of Motown hits like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Back In My Arms Again," were inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1988.
Aretha Franklin and George Michael started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1987with 'I Knew You Were Waiting' (also a No.1 in the UK).
Def Leppard started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chartin 1992 with 'Adrenalize.'
Annie Lennox went to #1 on the UK album chart in 1992 with her debut solo release 'Diva.'
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