Just a quick note to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving, eat hearty and be sure to burp. Here's a video I ran across, I can't seem to get it out of my head:
Paolo Nutini - Pencil Full Of Lead (Live Sesion - Behind the Scenes - Willton Music Hall)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Music News & Notes
Wendy Dio, the wife and manager of legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:
"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.
"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.
"Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."
Ronnie James Dio, 67, has performed with ELF, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, and his own band DIO. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser "Hear 'n Aid". He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He is currently involved with HEAVEN & HELL, a project which also includes former BLACK SABBATH bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. Their first studio album, "The Devil You Know", was released on April 28, 2009.
DIO cancelled its European tour last week after Ronnie was taken ill. The band's lineup for the trek was supposed to include WHITESNAKE/ex-DIO axeman Doug Aldrich due to the fact that the group's regular guitarist, Craig Goldy, had prior touring commitments with BUDGIE in Australia.
DIO's last release was the "Holy Diver Live" CD, featuring a performance of the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd.
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THEM CROOKED VULTURES Cracks U.S. Top 15
THEM CROOKED VULTURES' self-titled debut album sold 70,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.
THEM CROOKED VULTURES consists of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl on drums, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE singer/guitarist Josh Homme and LED ZEPPELIN bass player John Paul Jones.
"Them Crooked Vultures" was released on November 17 via DGC/Interscope Records.
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Sir Paul McCartney: 'Music Helps Me Revisit Late Beatles'
Sir Paul McCartney says his music enables him to maintain contact with his late wife Linda and former members of The Beatles. The singer told a press conference in London that his concerts were his way of ”revisiting” John Lennon and George Harrison.
"I'm sort of thinking about George ... similarly with John and Linda. In a way you're kind of in contact with them again you know," he said.
Sir Paul admitted the experience often left him “sad” and “emotional”.
He was speaking to journalists ahead of the release of his new concert CD and DVD, 'Good Evening New York City'. Released on December 7, the package features highlights from Sir Paul's three-night residency at New York's Citi Field in July.
The album also coincides with the former Beatles' seven-date European tour in December, which concludes in London on December 22.
This Date In Music History November 26
Birthdays:
Tina Turner (1938)
Jean Terrell - Supremes (1944)
Alan Henderson - Them (1944)
John McVie - Fleetwood Mac (1945)
Burt Reiter - Focus (1946)
Martin Lee - Brotherhood Of Man (1949)
Adam Gaynor - Matchbox 20 (1964)
Ron Jones - Flaming Lips (1970)
Benjamin Wysocki - The Fray (1984)
Gayle McCormick (lead singer of Smith) turns 61 today. Smith was a one-hit wonder American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1969. They had a blues based sound and had a Top 5 hit in 1969 with a cover of the song "Baby It's You", with the lead vocals sung by Gayle McCormick. This disc, released in July 1969 had, by October, sold over one million copies, and received a gold record awarded by the RIAA. As a side note, if you see their album, pick it up, this is some great music, unheard and underappreciated.
They Are Missed:
Famed swing-era band leader and trombonist Tommy Dorsey died in 1966, the result of an accident in his Greenwhich, Connecticut home. In addition to bringing Frank Sinatra into the spotlight, Tommy and his brother Jimmy, conducted the "Dorsey Brothers Stage Show," the first nationally broadcast TV show to feature Elvis Presley.
John Rostill former bassist with The Shadows died after being electrocuted at his home recording studio in 1973. After the break up of The Shadows, Rostill worked with Tom Jones and wrote songs covered by Elvis Presley and Olivia Newton-John.
Rapper Soulja Slim was shot to death in front of his home in New Orleans in 2003 (age 25). The rapper was featured on Juvenile's 2004 #1 single "Slow Motion."
History:
Today in 1955, the song "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks.
Johnny Cash, made his debut on the country charts in 1958 when "Cry! Cry! Cry!" made it to #14. His next seven singles would all make the country top 10, with "I Walk the Line" and "There You Go" both hitting #1.
In 1962, the Beatles recorded their second single "Please Please Me" in 18 takes and "Ask Me Why" for the flip side at EMI studio’s London.
The Zombies recorded "Tell Her No" in 1964 (it peaked at #6 in 1965 on the Buiillboard charts).
"I'm a Believer" by the Monkees was released in 1966.
The promotional film of The Beatles "Hello, Goodbye" was aired on The Ed Sullivan show in the US in 1967. It was never shown at the time in the UK due to a musician's union ban on miming.
Cream gave its last concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1968. The crowd chanted "God save the Cream." Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker would continue to work together in Blind Faith.
Jethro Tull released their debut album, "This Was" in 1968.
In 1969, John Lennon participated in his last session with the Beatles, mixing and editing their B-side "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)."
Tickets were so in demand for the Faces' Madison Square Garden performance in 1971, that the group broke Led Zeppelin's sellout record for the New York area.
The New York Dolls played their first show in a London restaurant in 1973.
In 1974, Led Zeppelin spent much of their time rehearsing at London's Livewire Theatre while they waited for the release of Physical Graffiti. The record company was holding up the album's release due to its complicated cutout sleeve.
In 1976, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left 10cc to work as a duo and concentrate on other projects including developing "The Gizmo," a device used to make neo-orchestral sounds on a guitar.
The Sex Pistols released the single "Anarchy In The UK" in 1976. It peaked at #38 on the UK charts.
"Crumblin’ Down" peaked at #9 in 1983 as John Cougar announced he’s John Cougar Mellencamp. He always hated his stage name (given to him by a one-time manager). Soon the made-up Cougar moniker is dropped completely.
In 1989, The Rolling Stones played a concert at Death Valley Stadium in Clenson, South Carolina to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Hugo.
The inaugural Billboard Music Awards were held in Santa Monica, California in 1990. Janet Jackson was the main winner of the night, winning in eight categories, including Top Pop Album, Top R&B Album and Top R&B Artist.
In 1991, country singer Garth Brooks asked fans to bring 10 cans of food to a grocery store in exchange for a lottery envelope, some of which contained tickets to see Garth at a forthcoming show. Over 10,000 cans were donated to charity.
Boyz II Men started their 14th and final week at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "I'll Make Love To You," giving them the longest run in chart history along with "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston.
The Eagles started a two-week run at #1 on the album chart in 1994 with "Hell Freezes Over."
Alice In Chains were at #1 on the US album chart in 1995 with their self-titled album
In 1999, 98 Degrees performed several songs and sold some exclusive band merchandise on the Home Shopping Network. Great agent they had...
The Beatles went to #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with "Beatles 1."
Actor Nicholas Cage filed for divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 2002 after four months of marriage.
Britney Spears topped the album charts in 2003 with her much hyped "In the Zone" record. She became the first female artist in chart history to land four consecutive albums at #1.
In 2006, Yoko Ono takes out a full-page ad in Sunday's edition of The New York Times calling for a day of healing worldwide on the anniversary of the death of her husband, John Lennon. "Every year, let's make December 8th (the day Lennon was killed) the day to ask for forgiveness from those who suffered the insufferable."
In 2008, the parents of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards were granted a court order for him to be declared presumed dead, after he disappeared nearly 14 years ago. Despite alleged sightings all over the world many believed Edwards, whose car was found near the Severn Bridge, took his own life at the age of 27.
Tina Turner (1938)
Jean Terrell - Supremes (1944)
Alan Henderson - Them (1944)
John McVie - Fleetwood Mac (1945)
Burt Reiter - Focus (1946)
Martin Lee - Brotherhood Of Man (1949)
Adam Gaynor - Matchbox 20 (1964)
Ron Jones - Flaming Lips (1970)
Benjamin Wysocki - The Fray (1984)
Gayle McCormick (lead singer of Smith) turns 61 today. Smith was a one-hit wonder American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1969. They had a blues based sound and had a Top 5 hit in 1969 with a cover of the song "Baby It's You", with the lead vocals sung by Gayle McCormick. This disc, released in July 1969 had, by October, sold over one million copies, and received a gold record awarded by the RIAA. As a side note, if you see their album, pick it up, this is some great music, unheard and underappreciated.
They Are Missed:
Famed swing-era band leader and trombonist Tommy Dorsey died in 1966, the result of an accident in his Greenwhich, Connecticut home. In addition to bringing Frank Sinatra into the spotlight, Tommy and his brother Jimmy, conducted the "Dorsey Brothers Stage Show," the first nationally broadcast TV show to feature Elvis Presley.
John Rostill former bassist with The Shadows died after being electrocuted at his home recording studio in 1973. After the break up of The Shadows, Rostill worked with Tom Jones and wrote songs covered by Elvis Presley and Olivia Newton-John.
Rapper Soulja Slim was shot to death in front of his home in New Orleans in 2003 (age 25). The rapper was featured on Juvenile's 2004 #1 single "Slow Motion."
History:
Today in 1955, the song "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks.
Johnny Cash, made his debut on the country charts in 1958 when "Cry! Cry! Cry!" made it to #14. His next seven singles would all make the country top 10, with "I Walk the Line" and "There You Go" both hitting #1.
In 1962, the Beatles recorded their second single "Please Please Me" in 18 takes and "Ask Me Why" for the flip side at EMI studio’s London.
The Zombies recorded "Tell Her No" in 1964 (it peaked at #6 in 1965 on the Buiillboard charts).
"I'm a Believer" by the Monkees was released in 1966.
The promotional film of The Beatles "Hello, Goodbye" was aired on The Ed Sullivan show in the US in 1967. It was never shown at the time in the UK due to a musician's union ban on miming.
Cream gave its last concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1968. The crowd chanted "God save the Cream." Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker would continue to work together in Blind Faith.
Jethro Tull released their debut album, "This Was" in 1968.
In 1969, John Lennon participated in his last session with the Beatles, mixing and editing their B-side "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)."
Tickets were so in demand for the Faces' Madison Square Garden performance in 1971, that the group broke Led Zeppelin's sellout record for the New York area.
The New York Dolls played their first show in a London restaurant in 1973.
In 1974, Led Zeppelin spent much of their time rehearsing at London's Livewire Theatre while they waited for the release of Physical Graffiti. The record company was holding up the album's release due to its complicated cutout sleeve.
In 1976, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left 10cc to work as a duo and concentrate on other projects including developing "The Gizmo," a device used to make neo-orchestral sounds on a guitar.
The Sex Pistols released the single "Anarchy In The UK" in 1976. It peaked at #38 on the UK charts.
"Crumblin’ Down" peaked at #9 in 1983 as John Cougar announced he’s John Cougar Mellencamp. He always hated his stage name (given to him by a one-time manager). Soon the made-up Cougar moniker is dropped completely.
In 1989, The Rolling Stones played a concert at Death Valley Stadium in Clenson, South Carolina to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Hugo.
The inaugural Billboard Music Awards were held in Santa Monica, California in 1990. Janet Jackson was the main winner of the night, winning in eight categories, including Top Pop Album, Top R&B Album and Top R&B Artist.
In 1991, country singer Garth Brooks asked fans to bring 10 cans of food to a grocery store in exchange for a lottery envelope, some of which contained tickets to see Garth at a forthcoming show. Over 10,000 cans were donated to charity.
Boyz II Men started their 14th and final week at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "I'll Make Love To You," giving them the longest run in chart history along with "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston.
The Eagles started a two-week run at #1 on the album chart in 1994 with "Hell Freezes Over."
Alice In Chains were at #1 on the US album chart in 1995 with their self-titled album
In 1999, 98 Degrees performed several songs and sold some exclusive band merchandise on the Home Shopping Network. Great agent they had...
The Beatles went to #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with "Beatles 1."
Actor Nicholas Cage filed for divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 2002 after four months of marriage.
Britney Spears topped the album charts in 2003 with her much hyped "In the Zone" record. She became the first female artist in chart history to land four consecutive albums at #1.
In 2006, Yoko Ono takes out a full-page ad in Sunday's edition of The New York Times calling for a day of healing worldwide on the anniversary of the death of her husband, John Lennon. "Every year, let's make December 8th (the day Lennon was killed) the day to ask for forgiveness from those who suffered the insufferable."
In 2008, the parents of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards were granted a court order for him to be declared presumed dead, after he disappeared nearly 14 years ago. Despite alleged sightings all over the world many believed Edwards, whose car was found near the Severn Bridge, took his own life at the age of 27.