This Date In Music History-July 11

Birthdays:

Lil' Kim (1975)

Scott Shriner - Weezer (1965)

Richie Sambora - Bon Jovi (1959)

Susanne Vega (1959)

Peter Murphy – Bauhaus (1957)

Benny DeFranco - DeFranco Family (1954)

Bonnie Pointer - Pointer Sisters (1951)

Jeff Hana - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1949)


They Are Missed:

In 2006, Bill Miller, who played piano with Frank Sinatra's combo for over 40 years, died at age 91. You can hear him on "My Way," "Strangers in the Night" and "Young at Heart."

R&B pioneer Rosco Gordon died in 2002 (age 68).

Singer and lyricist Roger Christian died in 1991. Worked with the Beach Boys and co-wrote songs recorded by Jan and Dean.

Herbert Kenny, of doo-wop pioneers the Ink Spots, died in 1992 (age 77).

Jonathan Melvoin, keyboard player with the Smashing Pumpkins, died from a drug overdose in New York City in 1996 (age 34). Band member Jimmy Chamberlin was with Melvoin tried but failed to revive him after Chamberlin was allegedly advised by 911 operators to put Melvoin's head in the shower.

In 1937, composer George Gershwin died from a brain tumor in Beverly Hills, California. He was 38.

Thurston Harris (July 11, 1931 - April 14, 1990)


History:

Crooner Dean Martin recorded his first four songs in 1946.

In 1951, DJ Alan Freed, working under the name ‘Moondog’ in Cleveland, launched his Moondog Rock n’ Roll Party on WJW Radio. Freed’s promotional initiatives are a big reason the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame is located in the "mistake by the lake."

Joan Baez made her first recording in 1959, a duet with Bob Gibson, which was recorded live at the Newport Folk Festival.

Hollywood Argyles went to #1 on the singles chart in 1960 with “Alley Oop.”

In 1964, the Beatles appeared live on the ABC Television program "Lucky Stars (Summer Spin),” performing “A Hard Day's Night,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Things We Said Today” and “You Can't Do That.” To avoid the crowd of fans waiting for them, The Beatles arrived at the Teddington Studio Centre by boat, traveling down the River Thames.

David Bowie released his album Space Oddity in 1969. It’s timed to coincide with the first moon landing.

The soundtrack album “Woodstock” started a four-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1970. It is the first triple-LP to do so.

In 1970, the Who unleashed the definitive Hard Rock version of “Summertime Blues.” Eddie Cochran’s version is still the best.

Also in 1970, Three Dog Night started a two-week run at #1 in the US with their version of the Randy Newman song “Mamma Told Me Not To Come.”

The Bruce Springsteen Band opened for Humble Pie at the Sunshine In, Asbury Park in New Jersey in 1971. After the show an impressed Peter Frampton from Humble Pie, tells Springsteen and the band he'd like to have them open for them on a national basis. Frampton also said he would be happy to get the band an audition with his record label, A & M Records. For no logical reason Springsteen’s manager Tinker West declined both offers on the spot.

A poll in 1991 determined that the most-requested Elvis Presley song is "Jailhouse Rock."

Ricky Martin started a five-week run at #1 on the singles chart in 1999 with “Livin' La Vida Loca.” The song was the first #1 song to be recorded, edited, and mixed totally on a DAW (digital audio workstation).

In 2000, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich testified before a Senate committee claiming Napster and other music sharing services are having a detrimental effect of the music industry. While that may be true, Ulrich’s comments alienate fans.