This Date In Music History - July 18

Birthdays:

Dion Dimucci (1939)



Lonnie Mack - Memphis (1941)

Martha Reeves (1941)

Robin McDonald - Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas (1943)

Danny McCullock - Animals (1945)

Tim Lynch - Flamin Groovies (1946)

Phil Harris - Ace (1948)

Wally Bryson - Young Rascals, Raspberries (1949)

Cesar Zuiderwyk - Golden Earring (1950)



Richard Branson - founder of Virgin Records and the Virgin Empire (1950)

Ricky Scaggs (1954)

Terry Chambers - XTC (1955)

Keith Levene - Public Image Ltd (1957)

Nigel Twist - Alarm (1958)

John Herman - Widespread Panic (1962)

Jack Irons - Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers (1962)

Daron Malakian - System of a Down (1975)

Tony Fagenson - Eve 6 (1978)


They Are Missed:

Bobby Fuller, leader of The Bobby Fuller Four, was found dead in his car in Los Angles in 1966 (age 22). Fuller died mysteriously from gasoline asphyxiation, while parked outside his apartment. Police labelled it a suicide, but the possibility of foul play has always been mentioned. Had the 1966 #9 single "I Fought The Law," which was written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets and covered by The Clash.



Born on this day in 1938, Ian Stewart, keyboard player, The Rolling Stones. Died of a heart attack in his doctor's Harley Street waiting room on December 12, 1985.

Born today in 1931, Papa Dee Allen, War. Died from a heart attack while performing on stage on August 30, 1988.

In 1988, Nico (Christa Päffgen) died after suffering a minor heart attack while riding a bicycle on holiday with her son in Ibiza, Spain. The German born singer-songwriter and keyboard player with Velvet Underground, had also worked as a fashion model and actress.

Born on this day in 1929, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, (Jalacy Hawkins), R&B singer. Hawkins died on February 12, 2000.

Born today in 1950, Glenn Hughes, Village People. Hughes died on 4th March 2001.

Born on this day in 1935, Johnny Funches, singer, The Dells. He died on January 23, 1998.


History:

In 1953, Elvis Presley recorded (for a fee of $4) a song ("My Happiness") supposedly for his mother's birthday (which actually was in April) at the Memphis recording service (he is noticed by the secretary there and it eventually leads to a contract). Music history will never be the same.

In 1960, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters released "The Twist." The song didn't become a hit until later in the year when Chubby Checker covered it.

Elvis Presley's "It's Now Or Never" was released in 1960.

In 1963, the Beatles entered the studio to record their second album. Many songs, including "You Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Money (That’s What I Want)" are covers.

The Beatles album "A Hard Days Night" was released in 1964.

The Four Seasons started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1964 with "Rag Doll," the group's fourth #1 hit. Co-writer Bob Gaudio said that he got the inspiration for the song from a young girl in tattered clothes that cleaned his car windows at a stop light.

In 1966, one of the Beach Boys all-time great songs, “God Only Knows,” was released as the B-side of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice."



This week's Top 3 US singles in 1967, #3, "Light My Fire," The Doors, #2, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," Frankie Valli, and #1, The Association "Windy."

Working at Abbey Road studios in 1968, the Beatles recorded "Cry Baby Cry" and "Helter Skelter." One take of "Helter Skelter" lasted 27' 11'', the longest Beatle recording ever.

The Grateful Dead released their 2nd album, "Anthem of the Sun" in 1968.

During sessions at Abbey Road studios in 1969, Ringo Starr recorded his vocal to "Octopus’s Garden."

Pink Floyd and Deep Purple played a free concert at London's Hyde Park in 1970.

In 1974, the U.S. Justice Department ordered John Lennon out of the country by September 10. The Immigration and Naturalization Service denied him an extension of his non-immigrant visa because of his guilty plea in England to a 1968 marijuana possession charge. Further appeals and other legal action transpires. Though it looks bad, Lennon does finally get his “Green Card.”

Members from Sly and the Family Stone were arrested in 1972 after police found two pounds of marijuana in the group's motor home. Ooops.....

In 1973, Bruce Springsteen played the first of four nights at Max's Kansas City in New York City, New York, supported by Bob Marley and The Wailers who were on their first ever North American tour.

In 1978, Def Leppard made their live debut at Westfield School, Sheffield, England in front of 150 students.

Billy Joel held the top position of both the US albums and singles charts in 1980. His album, 'Glass Houses' contained his first and biggest #1 hit, "It’s Still Rock ’n’ Roll to Me."

In 1988, Ike Turner was sentenced in Santa Monica, California to one year in jail for possessing and transporting cocaine. Police had stopped Turner, former husband of Tina Turner, in August 1987 for driving erratically and found about six grams of rock cocaine in his car.

Also in 1988 - A California appeals court upheld a lower courts' decision to dismiss a case against Ozzy Osbourne and CBS Records. In 1984 a teenager allegedly killed himself after listening to Ozzy's "Suicide Solution."

Rage against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). On the Philadelphia stop of the Lollapalooza tour in 1993, Rage Against The Machine appear nude onstage for a 25 minute silent protest (with duct tape across their mouths) of the PMRC’s censorship efforts. PMRC was scrawled across band member’s chests. Nice.

The oldest known musical instrument in the world was found in 1995 in the Indrijca River Valley in Slovenia. The 45,000 year-old relic was a bear bone with four artificial holes along its length.

Selena's "Dreaming of You" was posthumously released in 1995.

Metallica played at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA in 2000. The crowd was 1,000 contest winners of the "Blind Date" competition organized by Miller Genuine Draft.

In 2001 - MTV premiered the original movie "Hysteria - The Def Leppard Story."

Also in 2001, Kiss, added another product to their ever-growing merchandising universe: the "Kiss Kasket." The coffin featured the faces of the four founding members of the band, the Kiss logo and the words "Kiss Forever." Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell was buried in one after he was shot and killed on-stage in Dec 2004.

In 2002, rapper Mystikal and two other men were arrested on suspicion of raping a 40-year-old woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mystikal, (real name Michael Tyler), was charged with the offense as well as one of extortion after giving himself up to police, he was subsequently released on $250,000 bail.

Usher was at #1 on the US singles chart in 2004 with "Confessions Part 2," his third US #1 of 2004.

The iTunes Music Store reached 500 million songs sold in 2005.

The self-titled debut album by Black Stone Cherry was released in 2006. Also, it’s announced that the quartet’s “Lonely Train” has been chosen as the official theme song for World Wrestling Entertainment's Great American Bash pay-per-view event in Indianapolis. The group was honored. "Growing up in South Central Kentucky you either work on the farm, play music or watch wrestling," says BSC drummer John Fred Young. OK ...YOU tell him it's fake......

In 2006, Pollstar releases its list of the Top 100 highest-grossing US tours for the first half of ‘06. The Rolling Stones land at #2 earning $52.5 million with Billy Joel 3rd, making $47.2 million. Madonna tops the list raking in over $54 million.

In 2006, original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Jeremy Spencer released his first solo album, 'Precious Little,' in more than a quarter century. Spencer joined the Fleetwood Mac in ‘67, and exited in ‘71 to join the religious cult Children of God. Spencer's last solo effort, 'Flee,' came out in ‘79.

In 2007, Paul Simon filed a law suit against Rhythm USA Inc. a Georgia-based subsidiary of a Japanese firm, claiming the company never had his permission to sell wall clocks that played "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The suit claimed that as one of the best known songs throughout the world, a proper licensing agreement would earn at least a $1 million licensing fee.

In 2008, Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood was ‘seeking help’ with his battle with alcohol in a rehabilitation centre. The move followed tabloid speculation over the state of his 23-year marriage to former model Jo Wood. Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab,’ his spokeswoman said.

Bon Jovi was named the top-grossing live act in the world according to Billboard Boxscore's midyear report of 2008. The New Jersey group earned approximately $112.4 million in tour revenue from 11/14/07 to 5/13/08. The Police are #3. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Van Halen are also in the Top 10.

The last concert at Shea Stadium was held in 2008. The Billy Joel show features an appearance by Paul McCartney. The two perform renditions of the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Let It Be." The Beatles played Shea in the ‘60s.

And last but not least - In 2008, Ben & Jerry's offered limited-edition ice cream in honor of Elton John called Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road. The flavor's Vermont only introduction coincides with the musician's first concert in the state – at Essex Junction. Proceeds from the week-long promotion benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road has chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate pieces. mmmmm