This Date In Music History-July 23

Birthdays:

Michelle Williams - Destiny's Child (1980)

Steve 'Stevo 32' Jocz - Sum 41 (1980)

Alison Krauss - (1971)

Chad Gracey – Live (1971)

Sam Watters - Color Me Bad (1970)

Rob Dickinson - Catherine Wheel (1965)

Slash (Saul Hudson) - Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver (1965)

Nick Menza – Megadeth (1964)

Tim Kellett - Simply Red (1964)

Martin Gore - Depeche Mode (1961)

Janis Siegel - Manhattan Transfer (1952)

Blair Thorton - Bachman Turner Overdrive (1950)

David Essex (1947)

Tony Joe White – (1947)

Andy MacKay - Roxy Music (1946)

Madeline Bell - Blue Mink (1942)

Cleveland Duncan – Penguins (1935)


They Are Missed:

In 2004, guitarist Bill Brown died of smoke inhalation in a house fire. Member of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and The Titanic Blues Band.

Rob Collins, keyboard player with The Charlatans died in a car crash in 1996 (age 29).

In 1980, former Grateful Dead keyboardist, Keith Godchaux died of injuries sustained in a car accident in Marin County, California. He co-wrote songs with Lowell George (of Little Feat) and was a member of The New Riders of the Purple Sage.


History:

In 1955, Chess Records released the first Chuck Berry single, "Maybelline."



In 1962, the American Communications satellite, Telstar, makes its first trans-Atlantic transmission which inspires British record producer Joe Meek to pen "Telstar." The instrumental tune was recorded later in the week by the Toronados.

Neil Young's first recording session was held, in Winnipeg in 1963.

Frank Sinatra went to #1 on the US album chart in 1966 with “Strangers In The Night.”

Also in 1966, Napoleon XIV released the perennial novelty favorite "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" In reality he was record engineer Jerry Samuels.



Working at Abbey Road studios in London in 1968, the Beatles recorded “Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey” for their forthcoming White Album.

In 1968, The Jackson 5 auditioned at Motown's Detroit headquarters for a number of label executives. Berry Gordy was not present, but he signed them after viewing the audition tape.

Badfinger signed with Apple Records in 1968 as the Iveys.

Judas Priest made their first U.S. appearance in 1977, supporting Led Zeppelin.
Barry Manilow went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with “Looks Like We Made It,” his third US #1.

In 1977, Who drummer Keith Moon joined Led Zeppelin on stage during a gig at The Forum, Inglewood, Los Angles playing a duet with Zeppelin drummer John Bonham before taking to the microphone and attempting to sing.

Also in 1977, John Bonham, manager Peter Grant and two secuirty guards were arrested backstage at the Oakland Coliseum. They were charged with battery after allegedly beating up three employees of Bill Graham, the groups Oakland concert promoter. After pleading guilty to misdemeanors, the accused settle out of court for two million dollars.

Billy Squier earned his first gold album in 1981. He has a big hit with his second solo record, "Don't Say No."

The Police went to #1 on the US album chart in 1983 with “Synchronicity.” The album spent a total of seventeen weeks at #1.

The Bangles release their #1 hit "Walk Like an Egyptian" in 1986.



After forty-nine weeks on the US album chart in 1988, “Hysteria” by Def Leppard finally went to the #1 position.

The Sun Records studio in Memphis was designated a national historic landmark in 2003.

Research by a car insurance company in 2005 showed that listening to the wrong sort of music when driving can lead to aggression and distraction. Dr Nicola Dibben a music psychologist said “singing while driving stimulates the mind.” Songs recommended included Pulp’s ‘Disco 2000’ and ‘Hey Ya’ by Outcast, but the Dr said songs like The Prodigy’s Firestarter should be avoided. I would assume that anything by Billy “Crash” Craddock would also be a no no.