This Date In Music History-June 21

Birthdays:

Nick Noble ("The Bible Tells Me So") is 73

Brandon Flowers - The Killers (1981)

Michael Einziger – Incubus (1976)

Lee Gaze – Lostprophets (1975)

Ray Davies - The Kinks (1944)

Mark Brzezicki - Big Country (1957)

Born today in 1953, Nils Lofgren, guitar, piano, vocals. He joined Neil Young's band at age 17, playing piano on the album After the Gold Rush. From 1971 to 1974 recorded four albums with his band, Grin. Joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band in 1984. And member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band.

Joey Kramer – Aerosmith (1950)

Greg Munford - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1949)

Joey Molland – Badfinger (1948)

Chris Britton - The Troggs (1945)

Miguel Vicens - Los Bravos (1944)

Porter Howell - Little Texas (1964)


They Are Missed:

In 1980, German orchestra leader and songwriter Bert Kaempfert died (born October 16, 1923). Both Frank Sinatra (“Strangers In The Night”) and Elvis Presley (“Wooden Heart”) covered his songs. Kaempfert released over 50 albums. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on recording sessions for Polydor, (these were the Beatles' first commercial recordings).

Born today in 1936, O.C. Smith, who had 1968 #1 single “Little Green Apples.” He died on November 23, 2001.

John Lee Hooker, legendary blues singer and guitarist died in his sleep in 2001 at the age of 83. His songs have been covered by many artists including Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, The Yardbirds, The Doors and The White Stripes. He appeared and sang in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.


History:

Columbia Records began the first mass production of the 33 1/3 RPM LP in 1948.

Jimmy Page made his live debut with The Yardbirds at the Marquee Club, London in 1966.

In 1966, the Beatles recorded from start to finish, a new John Lennon song “She Said She Said.” The song was reportedly based on a bizarre conversation that Lennon had with Peter Fonda while John and George Harrison were tripping on LSD.

In 1955, Johnny Cash released his first single, "Hey Porter/Cry Cry Cry" which went on to sell 100,000 copies.

Bobby Darin recorded "Splish Splash" in 1958. Darin claimed he wrote the ditty in 10minutes.

In 1970, Pete Townshend bad timing of the use of the British slang term, "bomb" drew police and FBI action at the Memphis International Airport. He was overheard saying "'Tommy" seems to be "going down a bomb." That meant it was a hit. Officials, however, only heard the term "bomb" and reacted.

Better late than never - Four and a half years after leaving The Rolling Stones, guitarist Mick Taylor released his first solo LP in 1979.

Soft-rockers Bread played their last show in Salt Lake City in 1973. The band decided to quit after their equipment truck flipped over earlier in the day, destroying over $30,000 worth of gear.

The Beatles opened for Bruce Channel in concert near Liverpool in 1962 (and Bruce's harmonica player, Delbert McLinton, gave John Lennon tips that serve John well later on "Love Me Do").

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker announced the dissolution of Steely Dan in 1981. Of course, Fagen and Becker later re-form the group and even win a Grammy.

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form his own group Rainbow.

In 1952, "Goin' Home" became the first of nine #1 hits for Fats Domino. It was released on Imperial records. Those nine singles will top the R&B charts for a combined 51 weeks between 1952-59.

Bobby Vee recorded his #1 hit "Take Good Care of My Baby."