This Date In Music History-January 15

Birthdays:

Rock-pioneer Captain Beefheart (real name Don Van Vliet) was born in Glendale, CA in 1941. The owner of a remarkable four-and-one-half octave vocal range, he employed idiosyncratic rhythms, absurdist lyrics and an unholy alliance of free jazz, Delta blues, latter-day classical music and rock & roll to create a singular body of work virtually unrivalled in its daring and fluid creativity. While he never came even remotely close to mainstream success, Beefheart's impact was incalculable, and his fingerprints were all over punk, new wave and post-rock.

Edward Bivens - Manhattans (1942)

1947, Born on this day, Pete Waterman, producer, TV presenter and part of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman team. Booked the first ever tour for The Bay City Rollers, signed Musical Youth and Nik Kershaw, during the 70’s was promotion consultant for John Travolta. Dominated UK pop in the mid-to-late 1980s. as part of S.A.W. the most successful pop writers & producers of all time producing Bananarama, Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan. Judge on UK TV’s Pop Stars.

Martha Davis - Motels (1951)

Melvyn Gale - Electric Light Orchestra (1952)

Boris Blank - Yello (1953)

Douglas Elwin Erikson - Garbage (1953)

Peter Trewavas - Marillion (1959)

Adam Jones - Tool (1965)

Lisa Velez - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (1967)


They Are Missed:

Gene Krupa, the premier drummer of the big band era, was born in Chicago today in 1909.

Born on this day in 1948, Ronnie Van Zant, vocalist with Lynyrd Skynyrd, he died in a plane crash on October 20th 1977.




Dee Murray, long time bassist for Elton John, died of cancer in 1992. He was 45.

Lyricist Sammy Cahn, responsible for such Oscar-winning songs as "Call Me Irresponsible," "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "All the Way," died in Los Angeles in 1993 (age 79).

In 1994, singer songwriter Harry Nilsson died in his sleep of heart failure after spending the previous day in the recording studio. He recorded "Everybody's Talkin" from the film 'Midnight Cowboy' and wrote hits for Three Dog Night and The Monkees. Had the UK & US #1 single with his version of Badfinger Evans & Ham song "Without You." When John Lennon and Paul McCartney held a press conference in 1968 to announce the formation of Apple Corps, John was asked to name his favorite American artist. He replied, "Nilsson." Paul was then asked to name his favorite American group. He replied, "Nilsson."

In 1996, orchestra leader Les Baxter died in Newport Beach, California, of a heart attack brought on by kidney failure at age 73.

Harmonica player Junior Wells died (born Amos Blakemore) in 1998. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt and The Rolling Stones.


History:

The Everly Brothers made their debut on British TV in 1958, appearing on The Perry Como Show.

Elvis Presley recorded "Hard Headed Woman" in 1958.

Motown Records signed The Supremes in 1961.

Drummer Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones in 1962. The band’s original line-up is now complete.

In 1964, Vee Jay records filed a lawsuit against Capitol and Swan Records over manufacturing and distribution rights to Beatles recordings.

In 1965, Murray the K, a New York deejay known as the "Fifth Beatle" told the "New Musical Express" that "outside of the Beatles, British bands can't carry a show by themselves."

The Who's first single (with Jimmy Page on guitar), "I Can't Explain," was released in Britain in 1965. The record was ignored until the Who appeared on the TV program "Ready, Steady, Go," where Pete Townsend smashed his guitar and Keith Moon overturned his drums. "I Can't Explain" rose to number eight on the British chart, selling 100,000 copies in six weeks.



The Rolling Stones received their third gold record in 1966 for the album "December's Children." It featured the tunes "Get Off My Cloud," "Route 66," "As Tears Go By" and "I'm Free."

In 1967, the Rolling Stones were forced to change the lyrics of "Lets Spend The Night Together" to 'Lets Spend Some Time Together' when appearing on the US TV's The Ed Sullivan Show after the producers objected to the content of the lyrics.

Also in 1967, Donovan appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London, Paul McCartney and George Harrison both attended the show.

In 1969, George Harrison had a five-hour meeting with John, Paul and Ringo where he made it clear that he was fully prepared to quit The Beatles for good. Harrison wasn’t happy with plans for live performances and the Let It Be film project.

George Harrison released "My Sweet Lord" in 1971.

In 1972, Don McLean's "American Pie" started a four week run at #1 in the US singles chart.

Also in 1972 - Elvis Presley reportedly drew the largest audience for a single TV show to that time when he presented a live, worldwide concert from Honolulu, HI.

In 1973, the Rolling Stones announced they'll put on a benefit concert for the people of Managua, Nicaragua, which had been devestated by an earthquake back on December 23. Nicaragua is the home of Jagger's wife, Bianca.

Brownsville Station, described by leader Cub Koda as "Chuck Berry 1973 filtered through three madmen," earns a gold record in 1974 for their only hit "Smokin' in the Boys' Room."

"Happy Days" premiered on ABC-TV in 1974.

Guitarist Joe Walsh makes his debut with the Eagles in 1976. He’s onboard for the group’s Australia/Japan tour.

The Eagles went to #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'Hotel California' the group's third US #1 album.



UK singer Leo Sayer went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing', it was the first of two US #1's for the singer.

Men At Work started a four week run at No.1 in the US singles chart in 1983 with "Down Under," the Australian act group's second US #1, also a #1 in the UK.

Sean Lennon's remake of his father's "Give Peace A Chance" was released in 1991 to coincide with the United Nation's midnight deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. The lyrics are updated to reflect concerns of the 1990's.

A lyric sheet to the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," handwritten by George Harrison, goes for $300,000 at an auction in Scottsdale, AZ in 2007. Producer George Martin's score for the version of "Weeps" created for the Beatles' "Love" soundtrack album was also sold. A military tunic worn by John Lennon sells for $350,000 while a set of Beatles suits dating from '64 go for $30,000.