I Put A Spell On You - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Rock & Roll Tidbits
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine" has reached the Billboard Hot 100 six times in versions by Marvin Gaye (#1), Gladys Knight (#2), Creedence Clearwater Revival (#43), Roger Troutman (#79), King Curtis (#83) and The California Raisins (#84). The song has also been recorded by dozens of other artists including The Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner, Paul Mauriat and Elton John.
In a 2005 interview, Billy Joel said that during the recording of "We Are The World", most of the artists didn't like the song, but nobody would say so. Cyndi Lauper thought it sounded like a Pepsi commercial and Billy agreed.
The contract that made Brian Epstein the Beatles' manager was never really valid. Both Paul and George were under 21 at the time and needed a legal guardian to sign. Epstein himself never signed the document at all.
Rocker Neil Young arrived at Woodstock in 1969 with fellow musician Jimi Hendrix. When they realized that they had to travel several miles from the helicopter pad to the stage, they stole a pickup truck for the journey. Young calls the theft, “One of the high points of my life.”
Al Kooper, founder of Blood, Sweat and Tears was a co-writer of the Gary Lewis and The Playboys' hit "This Diamond Ring". Although the song was a US number one smash, Kooper has said he was very disappointed at how the Playboys version sounded, and sheepish that it became such a hit. None of the Playboys actually played their instruments on the recording and Lewis' vocals were heavily supported by Ron Hicklin's overdubs.
The Academy Award winning score for the movie Fame was written by Leslie Gore's brother, Michael.
51 year old Lindsay Crosby, son of Bing Crosby, took his own life on December 11th, 1989, reportedly right after watching his father sing "White Christmas" during the television-airing of the classic Christmas movie, Holiday Inn. Lindsay was said to have suffered years of physical and verbal abuse inflicted on him as a child by his father. In May, 1991, Lindsay's 57 year old brother Dennis would also commit suicide.
Elvis's middle name is spelled "Aaron" on his tombstone. According to his official web site, the name was spelled Aron at birth, but as an adult, Elvis planned to change the spelling to Aaron and the tombstone was designed to reflect that wish.
In 1967, under Britain's open-ended tax system, The Beatles were in the 96% tax bracket.
Before reaching the US Top Ten in 1980 with "Giving It Up For Your Love", Delbert McClinton played harmonica on Bruce Chanel's chart topping 1962 hit, "Hey Baby". While on tour, he also taught some harp licks to John Lennon, who was playing in a then unknown opening act called The Beatles.
"Sunday Will Never Be The Same" was first offered to the Left Banke, but they rejected it. The song was then given to The Mamas and The Papas but they also passed on it. Finally, Spanky and Our Gang recorded it and took it to # 9 in the US in 1967.
Cat Stevens' song "Morning Has Broken" was an adaptation of a hymn of the same name by Eleanor Farjeon, who wrote many stories for children.
From 1969 to 1970, Jimmy Buffett was a staff writer for Billboard magazine in Nashville.
The Temptations 1964 classic hit "My Girl" was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles. Robinson wrote the lyrics, which he later said were inspired by his wife, Claudette. They divorced in 1986.
The so-called ‘Prince of Darkness’ Ozzy Osbourne certainly developed a satanic reputation over the years. But Ozzy never took it too seriously, stating: “The devil worship thing was a marketing invention of the record company. We played along to put dough in our pockets.”
It is well known that Beatle George Harrison was spiritual and after reading about cosmic communication, Harrison climbed a mountain in hopes of receiving message from God. He waited and waited, but the only message he received was to climb back down the mountain.
Although the concept of the "hit parade" goes back to the mid 1930s, the invention and naming of the Top 40 format is widely credited to Todd Storz, who was the director of radio station KWOH-AM in Omaha, Nebraska, in the early 1950s. Storz noted the great response certain songs got from the record-buying public and compared it to selections on jukeboxes. He expanded his stable of radio stations and gradually converted them to an all-hits format, pioneering the practice of surveying record stores to determine which singles were popular each week.
In a 2005 interview, Billy Joel said that during the recording of "We Are The World", most of the artists didn't like the song, but nobody would say so. Cyndi Lauper thought it sounded like a Pepsi commercial and Billy agreed.
The contract that made Brian Epstein the Beatles' manager was never really valid. Both Paul and George were under 21 at the time and needed a legal guardian to sign. Epstein himself never signed the document at all.
Rocker Neil Young arrived at Woodstock in 1969 with fellow musician Jimi Hendrix. When they realized that they had to travel several miles from the helicopter pad to the stage, they stole a pickup truck for the journey. Young calls the theft, “One of the high points of my life.”
Al Kooper, founder of Blood, Sweat and Tears was a co-writer of the Gary Lewis and The Playboys' hit "This Diamond Ring". Although the song was a US number one smash, Kooper has said he was very disappointed at how the Playboys version sounded, and sheepish that it became such a hit. None of the Playboys actually played their instruments on the recording and Lewis' vocals were heavily supported by Ron Hicklin's overdubs.
The Academy Award winning score for the movie Fame was written by Leslie Gore's brother, Michael.
51 year old Lindsay Crosby, son of Bing Crosby, took his own life on December 11th, 1989, reportedly right after watching his father sing "White Christmas" during the television-airing of the classic Christmas movie, Holiday Inn. Lindsay was said to have suffered years of physical and verbal abuse inflicted on him as a child by his father. In May, 1991, Lindsay's 57 year old brother Dennis would also commit suicide.
Elvis's middle name is spelled "Aaron" on his tombstone. According to his official web site, the name was spelled Aron at birth, but as an adult, Elvis planned to change the spelling to Aaron and the tombstone was designed to reflect that wish.
In 1967, under Britain's open-ended tax system, The Beatles were in the 96% tax bracket.
Before reaching the US Top Ten in 1980 with "Giving It Up For Your Love", Delbert McClinton played harmonica on Bruce Chanel's chart topping 1962 hit, "Hey Baby". While on tour, he also taught some harp licks to John Lennon, who was playing in a then unknown opening act called The Beatles.
"Sunday Will Never Be The Same" was first offered to the Left Banke, but they rejected it. The song was then given to The Mamas and The Papas but they also passed on it. Finally, Spanky and Our Gang recorded it and took it to # 9 in the US in 1967.
Cat Stevens' song "Morning Has Broken" was an adaptation of a hymn of the same name by Eleanor Farjeon, who wrote many stories for children.
From 1969 to 1970, Jimmy Buffett was a staff writer for Billboard magazine in Nashville.
The Temptations 1964 classic hit "My Girl" was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles. Robinson wrote the lyrics, which he later said were inspired by his wife, Claudette. They divorced in 1986.
The so-called ‘Prince of Darkness’ Ozzy Osbourne certainly developed a satanic reputation over the years. But Ozzy never took it too seriously, stating: “The devil worship thing was a marketing invention of the record company. We played along to put dough in our pockets.”
It is well known that Beatle George Harrison was spiritual and after reading about cosmic communication, Harrison climbed a mountain in hopes of receiving message from God. He waited and waited, but the only message he received was to climb back down the mountain.
Although the concept of the "hit parade" goes back to the mid 1930s, the invention and naming of the Top 40 format is widely credited to Todd Storz, who was the director of radio station KWOH-AM in Omaha, Nebraska, in the early 1950s. Storz noted the great response certain songs got from the record-buying public and compared it to selections on jukeboxes. He expanded his stable of radio stations and gradually converted them to an all-hits format, pioneering the practice of surveying record stores to determine which singles were popular each week.
This Date In Music History-January 18
Birthdays:
Bobby Goldsboro (1941)
Jonathan Davis- Korn (1971)
They Are Missed:
Songwriter and producer Keith Diamond died of a heart attack in 1997. He wrote, 'Caribbean Queen' and 'Suddenly' for Billy Ocean (also wrote hits for Donna Summer, James Ingram, Mick Jagger, Sheena Easton and Michael Bolton).
David Ruffin of The Temptations was born in 1941, Ruffin died of a drug overdose on June 1, 1991.
History:
In 1956, Bill Haley’s "Rock Around the Clock" became the first rock ‘n’ roll album to enter the albums chart. It peaked at #12.
In 1985, USA Today took a poll of its readers to ask where the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame should be built. The winner, as you know, was Cleveland, Ohio.
The Beatles released the soundtrack to their animated film Yellow Submarine in 1969.
In 1969, Blood, Sweat & Tears released their second album, accurately titled Blood, Sweat & Tears. It tops the charts, helped by the singles "Spinning Wheel" and "And When I Die."
Pink Floyd began recording "Dark Side Of The Moon" in 1973.
Capricorn Records filed for bankruptcy in 1980.
Paul Simon dropped out of law school in 1965 to become a full-time musician.
In 1978, Johnny Paycheck's ode to workplace frustrations, "Take This Job and Shove It,” reached the top spot on the Billboard Country chart.
Lisa Marie Presley divorced Michael Jackson in 1996-after less then two years of being married.
During an AC/DC North American tour in 1991, three fans were killed during a crush in a crowd at a gig in Salt Lake City.
Barry Manilow scored his first US #1 single in 1975 when “Mandy,” (originally titled “Brandy”) went to the top of the charts.
In 1964, The Beatles had their first appearance on the US singles chart with "I Want to Hold Your Hand". The disc entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #45, just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. Capitol had earlier turned down "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me", "From Me to You" and "She Loves You", which were then released by Vee Jay Records. After a nasty lawsuit, Capitol Records was granted an injunction, restraining Vee Jay Records from further manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of recordings by the Beatles. If you have any old Beatles records on Vee Jay, hang on to them, they are now collectors' items.
In 1974, former members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople, (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell), formed Bad Company. The band went on to score a US #1 album with their debut release.
In 1965, the Rolling Stones recorded “The Last Time” and “Play With Fire” at the RCA studio in Hollywood, California. Phil Spector played acoustic guitar on “Play With Fire.”
In 1960, Johnny Preston's Indian love song "Running Bear" reached number one and became the first song to do so after it had fallen off the Billboard chart completely. Penned by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the tune originally entered the chart in October 1959, then quickly vanished, but re-entered in November and slowly climbed to the top. It was also #1 in the UK.
In 2007, Ted Nugent caused a stir at the inaugural ball of Texas Governor Rick Perry when he appeared on stage wearing a T-shirt adorned with the Confederate flag and then embarking on an angry monologue about people who don't speak English. The 58-year-old Rocker also carried a fake machine gun on stage with him.
“That's What Friends Are For,” by Dionne Warwick began a four-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1986, all company and artist’s profits were given to aids charities.
Bobby Goldsboro (1941)
Jonathan Davis- Korn (1971)
They Are Missed:
Songwriter and producer Keith Diamond died of a heart attack in 1997. He wrote, 'Caribbean Queen' and 'Suddenly' for Billy Ocean (also wrote hits for Donna Summer, James Ingram, Mick Jagger, Sheena Easton and Michael Bolton).
David Ruffin of The Temptations was born in 1941, Ruffin died of a drug overdose on June 1, 1991.
History:
In 1956, Bill Haley’s "Rock Around the Clock" became the first rock ‘n’ roll album to enter the albums chart. It peaked at #12.
In 1985, USA Today took a poll of its readers to ask where the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame should be built. The winner, as you know, was Cleveland, Ohio.
The Beatles released the soundtrack to their animated film Yellow Submarine in 1969.
In 1969, Blood, Sweat & Tears released their second album, accurately titled Blood, Sweat & Tears. It tops the charts, helped by the singles "Spinning Wheel" and "And When I Die."
Pink Floyd began recording "Dark Side Of The Moon" in 1973.
Capricorn Records filed for bankruptcy in 1980.
Paul Simon dropped out of law school in 1965 to become a full-time musician.
In 1978, Johnny Paycheck's ode to workplace frustrations, "Take This Job and Shove It,” reached the top spot on the Billboard Country chart.
Lisa Marie Presley divorced Michael Jackson in 1996-after less then two years of being married.
During an AC/DC North American tour in 1991, three fans were killed during a crush in a crowd at a gig in Salt Lake City.
Barry Manilow scored his first US #1 single in 1975 when “Mandy,” (originally titled “Brandy”) went to the top of the charts.
In 1964, The Beatles had their first appearance on the US singles chart with "I Want to Hold Your Hand". The disc entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #45, just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. Capitol had earlier turned down "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me", "From Me to You" and "She Loves You", which were then released by Vee Jay Records. After a nasty lawsuit, Capitol Records was granted an injunction, restraining Vee Jay Records from further manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of recordings by the Beatles. If you have any old Beatles records on Vee Jay, hang on to them, they are now collectors' items.
In 1974, former members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople, (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell), formed Bad Company. The band went on to score a US #1 album with their debut release.
In 1965, the Rolling Stones recorded “The Last Time” and “Play With Fire” at the RCA studio in Hollywood, California. Phil Spector played acoustic guitar on “Play With Fire.”
In 1960, Johnny Preston's Indian love song "Running Bear" reached number one and became the first song to do so after it had fallen off the Billboard chart completely. Penned by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the tune originally entered the chart in October 1959, then quickly vanished, but re-entered in November and slowly climbed to the top. It was also #1 in the UK.
In 2007, Ted Nugent caused a stir at the inaugural ball of Texas Governor Rick Perry when he appeared on stage wearing a T-shirt adorned with the Confederate flag and then embarking on an angry monologue about people who don't speak English. The 58-year-old Rocker also carried a fake machine gun on stage with him.
“That's What Friends Are For,” by Dionne Warwick began a four-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1986, all company and artist’s profits were given to aids charities.
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