Birthdays:
Mex-Tex rocker Johnny Rivers (1942)
Joni Mitchell (1943)
Kevin Scott MacDonald - Cutting Crew (1951)
Nick Gilder - Sweeney Todd, solo (1951)
Clint Mansell - Will Eat Itself (1963)
Liam O'Maonlai - Hothouse Flowers (1964)
Robin Finck - Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses (1971)
Zach Myers - Shinedown (1983)
They Are Missed:
Soul singer Dee Clark was born today in 1938. Died December 7, 1990.
Carter Cornelius of Cornelius Borthers and Sister Rose ("Treat her Like A Lady") died of a heart attack in 1991.
Born today in 1922, trumpet czar Al Hirt. Died on the 27th of April 1999.
The late Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary was born in 1937. In 2005, Travers was diagnosed with leukemia. Although a bone marrow transplant apparently slowed the progression of the disease, Travers died on September 16, 2009.
History:
Eddie Cochran made his UK chart debut in 1958 with "Summertime Blues." It reached #18 in the UK & #8 in the US.
The Beatles went to Ireland in 1963 to make their only two appearances ever in the country playing two shows at the Adelphi Cinema, Dublin. The group hooked up with screenwriter Alun Owen, who had been appointed to write the screenplay for The Beatles' first (as yet untitled) motion picture. Owen spent three days with The Beatles observing their hectic, lifestyle.
Reg Dwight (Elton John) and his song writing partner Bernie Taupin signed to DJM publishing in 1967, their signatures had to be witnessed by their parents because they were both under 21 years of age. Taupin answered an advertisement for a lyric writer placed in the New Musical Express, the pair have since collaborated on over 30 albums.
In 1967, the Beatles finished recording "Blue Jay Way," "Flying" and "Magical Mystery Tour." The Beatles have only six songs, not enough for an album, so it was decided to issue a double-EP. Capitol Records didn’t think the double-EP format would be acceptable for the US market, so they decide to put out an album instead. The six "Magical Mystery Tour" songs with five of the six songs from The Beatles' 1967 singles went on side two.
The Doors were banned from Phoenix in 1968 due to singer Jim Morrison’s behavior. He reportedly mooned the audience. Nice Jim......
The Rolling Stones kicked off their 6th North American tour at Fort Collins state University, Colorado in 1969. This is the tour that includes a stop at Altamont. Also on the bill, Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry and BB King.
Led Zeppelin released their third album in 1970, which features a distinctive pinwheel revolving cover. It entered the UK chart at #1 and spends a total of 40 weeks in the Top 75.
In 1970, MGM Records dropped 18 acts (including MOR performers the Cowsills, Connie Francis and Judy Garland’s back catalog) for allegedly promoting drug use. Eric Burdon, now fronting the successful War, freely admits drug use. He was not dropped because his group was still selling records, making a mockery of the whole exercise.
In 1974, Ted Nugent won a National Squirrel-shooting contest after picking off a squirrel at 150 yards. The heavy metal guitarist also shot dead 27 other mammals during the three day event. Get 'em Ted!
A new world record was set in 1975 for continuous guitar string plucking by Steve Anderson who played for 114 hours 17 minutes.
Elton John started a three week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with 'Rock Of The Westies', the singers seventh US #1.
Hall and Oates started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Private Eyes," the duo's third US #1 hit.
In 1986, Willie Nelson made a guest appearance the series "Miami Vice" as a corrupt policeman.
Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the US album chart in 1987 with 'Tunnel Of Love.'
In 1987, Tiffany became the youngest act to score a US #1 since Michael Jackson ("Ben" in 1972) with "I Think we're Alone Now."
John Fogerty won his self-plagiarism court battle with Fantasy Records in 1988. The label claimed Fogerty copied his own song, "Run Through The Jungle" when he wrote "The Old Man Down The Road".
In 1991, Frank Zappa announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Alice in Chains released "Alice in Chains" on CD and cassette in 1995. The album was only available in a vinyl edition until this release.
Nirvana”s 'Incesticide' a collection of early recordings, out-takes and BBC sessions earned a platinum record in 1995.
Black Sabbath’s 'Reunion album peaked at #11 on the US chart in 1998.
12 Guns N' Roses fans were arrested during a riot after a gig in Vancouver was cancelled in 2002. Promoters pulled the gig after Axl Rose's flight from Los Angeles was delayed.
In 2002, Whitney Houston's husband, Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding, driving without a licence and having no proof of insurance after he was stopped by police in Atlanta City.
The Rolling Stones play Hong Kong for the first time in 2003.
Robert Plant headlined a tribute concert to Blues icon Leadbelly at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and Museum in Cleveland in 2004.
R. Kelly and Jay-Z went to #1 on the US album chart in 2004with 'Unfinished Business.'
Foo Fighters released an acoustic live album 'Skin And Bones' in 2006. The 15-track collection, recorded in L.A., features songs from the unplugged half of their "In Your Honor" double album, classic Foo songs and a version of the Dave Grohl sung Nirvana B-side "Marigold."
The Who's Roger Daltrey and Cream's Jack Bruce participate in the Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp's 10th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas in 2007. At the end of the five-day camp participants and pros perform together at the Vegas House of Blues.
Limited distribution doesn't slow down the Eagles "Long Road Out Of Eden" in 2007. Selling over 700,000 copies in its first week of release, the album was #1 on the Billboard 200. The set was available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club outlets, as well as the group's web site. Later, the Eagles perform "How Long" at the 41st annual Country Music Association Awards. "From the early '70s, this group has defined Country Rock, and more than three decades later they are still creating music that resonates with our audience," says the CMA’s Tammy Genovese. It's the group's first-ever appearance at an awards show.
Bruce Springsteen appears at Stand Up For Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Family Fund in New York in 2007. As part of the event a Harley-Davidson motorcycle owned and signed by Springsteen is auctioned off for $85,000. Proceeds go toward assisting injured U.S. soldiers.
To celebrate 'Astral Weeks' 40th anniversary, Van Morrison performed his classic album in its entirety during a two-show engagement at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in 2008. The singer was backed by the same ensemble of jazz musicians that played on the original ’68 recording.
In 2008, KISS bassist-singer Gene Simmons won $500,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation during his appearance on FOX's 'Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?' That’s a record sum earned by a celebrity guest on the game show. Cool....