Birthdays:
Maurice White - Earth Wind and Fire (1941)
Alvin Lee - Ten Years After (1944)
John McEuen - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1949)
Janie Fricke (1952)
Doug Johnson - Loverboy (1957)
Kevin Shepard - Tonic (1968)
Daniel Patrick Adair - Nickelback (1975)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1918, Professor Longhair, rock & roll piano player. Influenced Fat's Domino and Dr John. Died on Jan 30, 1980.
Born today in 1940, Phil Ochs, folk singer songwriter. Wrote "There But A Fortune," a hit for Joan Baez. Hung himself on April 9, 1976 suffering from chronic depression.
Michael Clarke, drummer with the Byrds, died of liver failure in 1993 (age 47). After The Byrds, he went on to play for the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1969 to 1973 and Firefall from 1974 to 1981. Before his death Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke's girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke's name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids. He and the rest of The Byrds were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in January 1991.
10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure in 2000 (age 42). Best know for "Hey Jack Kerouac," "What's The Matter Here" and "Candy Everybody Wants."
English singer/songwriter Kirsty MacColl was killed in 2000 while vacationing in Mexico (age 41). She was sccuba diving with her two sons when she was hit by a speedboat.
Songwriter, guitarist and singer and founder member of The Staple Singers, Roebuck 'pop' Staples died in 2000. Best known for their 1970s hits "I'll Take You There," "Respect Yourself," and "Let's Do It Again."
Born on this day in 1944, Zal Yanovsky, the Lovin Spoonful. Died of a heart attack on December 13, 2002.
History:
Carl Perkins recorded the immortal hit "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1955. The idea for the song comes from Sun Records labelmate Johnny Cash.
Elvis Presley made US chart history in 1956 by having 10 songs on Billboard's Top 100.
'The Music Man' opened on Broadway in 1957.
In 1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.
In 1958, Booby Darin recorded his signature cut "Mack The Knife."
Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl" was released on RCA Victor Records in 1960. The song would climb to #4 on the Hot 100 and become Sedaka's sixth record to make the US charts.
Also in 1960, Frank Sinatra recorded his first session with his very own record company, Reprise Records. Frank did "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" and "Let’s Fall in Love."
After reaching #15 with "Tonight I Fell In Love" earlier in the year, a Brooklyn, New York group called The Tokens scored the top tune in the US in 1961 with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
The Beatles fourth album 'Beatles For Sale' started a seven-week run at #1 on the UK album charts in 1964. It would stay in the Top 20 for an amazing 46 weeks.
In 1964, the Supremes scored their third US #1 single of the year when "Come See About Me," went to the top of the charts.
For reasons that are never fully explained, a Los Angeles radio station announced in 1966 that Mick Jagger had died.
Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Community Concourse, San Diego, California in 1967.
The Friends of Distinction recorded "Grazin' In The Grass" in 1968.
Santana play San Francisco’s Fillmore West for the first time in 1968. The group regularly appeared at the venue after that.
The Beatles' seventh Christmas record, 'The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record' was released to members of their fan club in the UK and the US in 1969.
Elton John's first US hit, ‘Your Song’ entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their ‘It Ain't Easy’ album.
Ron Woods joined the Rolling Stones in 1974.
As if Disco wasn't bad enough, the US music scene reached a new all time low in 1975 when "Convoy" by C.W. McCall earned a Gold record. It would go on to top the Billboard Pop in early January. The novelty tune tells the story of interstate truck drivers and their run-ins with the law. It reached #2 in the UK.
In 1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.
In 1981, the Rolling Stones wrap up their US tour with a televised closed-circuit concert broadcast throughout the country.
In 1986, a California Superior Court Judge refused to reinstate a lawsuit brought against Ozzy Osbourne by the parents of a teenager who committed suicide while listening to Osbourne's "Suicide Solution". The judge ruled that Ozzy was protected by The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gives him the right to freedom of speech.
An oddity happened in 1987 - Paul Simon the musician, and Paul Simon, the presidential candidate, both hosted 'Saturday Night Live.'
Marty Raybon made his last appearance with country group Shenandoah at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN in 1997.
In 2001, VH1 premiered "Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story."
Also in 2001, Dick Clark filed a $10 million lawsuit against Recording Academy President Michael Greene. The charge was that Greene would bar artists who appear first on Clark's American Music Awards from performing on the Grammy Awards.
Peter Eckenrod was sentenced to 25 months in prison in 2003 for pretending to be Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti. He pleads no contest to scheming to defraud and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Ludacris went to #1 on the US album chart in 2004 with 'The Red Light District', the rappers second US #1 album.
Bono was named one of Time magazine's '05 Persons of the Year, along with Microsoft founder/CEO Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda. The trio is recognized for their efforts to aid Africa in its fight against disease and destitution." This can be a generation that can end extreme poverty," says U2's frontman, who claims he is "humbled" by the honor.
Two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd raised over $25,000 for the homeless charity Crisis in 2006. The 6ft-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.
As many as 30 concertgoers were treated for minor injuries received at a Music As A Weapon tour stop in Ashwaubenon, WI in 2006. Two fans are transported to a local hospital for treatment during the Disturbed-headlined event. Many mosh pit mavens suffer cuts, bruises or overheating. Dern mosh pit....
In 2006, the FBI release documents related to their investigation of John Lennon in the early ‘70s. The Nixon administration thought Lennon, an anti-war (Vietnam) advocate, was aiding left wing causes and therefore an undesirable alien. Unsuccessful deportation efforts ensued. While Lennon had contact with representatives from radical organizations the FBI could find no evidence that he was a member or financially supported these groups.
Neil Young’s “Living With War - Raw” CD (live studio renditions of the 10 “Living With War” songs) and DVD, was in stores in 2006.
Christine Grahame, a member of Scotland's parliament, filed a parliamentary motion in 2008 recognizing AC/DC’s achievements. Founding members Angus and Malcolm Young were born in Glasgow before the family moved to Australia in ‘63. Also, the late vocalist Bon Scott and his successor, Brian Johnson, are Scottish natives.
No comments:
Post a Comment