Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes


this from the atlantic city area, vinyl lives!

Vinyl holds nostalgic value for area audiophiles

By ROB SPAHR Staff Writer

NORTHFIELD — Anthony Tedeschi used to be able to rattle off the competitors of the five Tunes music stores he owns with high school friend, Chip Heuisler.

But now the 43-year-old Marlton resident — who opened his first record store, Tunes on the Dunes in Ocean City in 1989 — has to think hard to name a competitor that can match his inventory.

“It’s tough,” said Tedeschi, while trying to think of the nearest competitor to his Route 9 location, besides the four other stores he owns in Marlton, Hoboken, Turnersville and Vorhees. “Princeton maybe?”

What used to be a rite of passage for youngsters — going to a record store for the latest release or exploring stacks of compact discs has been lost to the instant gratification of a few mouse clicks and express shipping.

Read the rest of the article at pressofatlanticcity.com

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Jack White To Release Solo LP

Jack White has just released the details of his debut solo album. Despite recording with the White Stripes, the Raconteurs and Dead Weather and many other musicians, White has never released a solo record under his own name. The album, called 'Blunderbuss,' is set for release will on April 24th via White's own Third Man Records.

"Love Interruption" is the first taste of Jack White's debut album. You can pre-order your copy of the 7" single that also features the B-side "Machine Gun Silhouette" HERE

White says via a press release: "[Blunderbuss is] an album I couldn't have released until now. I've put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas."



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Cult Releasing New LP

The Cult has wrapped up recording the group’s first studio album in five years. It's called ‘Choice of Weapon’ and will be released on May 21st on their new UK label Cooking Vinyl. The 10 tracks reveal the band at its rawest and most visceral, encapsulating cinematic visions and themes of love, revolt, and redemption.

The record was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band’s Witch Mountain studios in the Hollywood Hills between July and December 2011. The new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse. “We have had the opportunity to work with two of the most influential and talented producers in the world today,” said Astbury. “They pushed us beyond our comfort zone, and helped us craft ‘Choice of Weapon.’”

The album is set to be released as a special edition fan pack on May 14th, followed by digital and double vinyl on May 21st and the CD and deluxe CD’s on June 4th.

Tracklist:
1. Honey from a Knife
2. Elemental Light
3. The Wolf
4. Life > Death
5. For The Animals
6. Amnesia
7. Wilderness Now
8. Lucifer
9. A Pale Horse
10. This Night In The City Forever

Bonus CD tracks:
1. Every Man And Woman Is A Star
2. Embers
3. Until The Light Takes Us
4. Siberia

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the folks at Vinyl Record Talk bring us this info:

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Records Sales - Week Ending 01/28/2012

The record that launched a million bands tops the list this week. It's said of the 1000 or so people who bought the first Velvet Underground record when it came out that every one of them went out and started a band. Well that is certainly true even up to today of just about everyone who bought a reissue. The copy that sold this week and topped the list actually came in a very low price, considering the seller described it as flawless. A near mint copy has sold for twice the price in better times. The vinyl market doesn't seem depressed as just all over the place. Some weeks prices break records, others, like this one, disappoint. The Combinations 45 is a killer Northern that has gone for $6k in the past.

The next three spots (including a tie for #3) are taken by German violin 78s, and a 60s private Psych LP out of Duluth MN finds it way onto the list.

1. LP - The Velvet Underground "The Velvet Underground And Nico" Verve Mono Banana Peel Cover - $3,144.37

2. 45 - The Combinations "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" / "The Goddess Of Love" Kimtone 1001 - $2,646.00

3. 78 - Professor Adolf Busch "Gavotte" / "Schero" Berlin DG 62470 - $2,500.00

3. 78 - Professor Adolf Busch "Dvorak: Slavonic Dance No.7" / "Tartini: Vartationen Uber Ein Thema Von Corelli" Berlin DG 65980

4. 78 - Freddie Keppard's Jazz Cardinals "Strut 1" / "Salty Dog" Paramount 12399 - $2,225.00

5. LP - The Sound Of The Reign "Reigned Out" Private Press - $2,000.00



Top 5 eBay Vinyl Records Sales - Week Ending 01/21/2012

Probably the second most sought after Stones vinyl collectible (after the pulled "Street Fighting Man" 45 pic sleeve) this UK promotional record that made the #1 spot was sent by Decca to the music press and other VIPs in the UK in 1969. In hindsight its hard to imagine, but after the death of Brian Jones, the future of the Rolling Stones was uncertain in terms of continued popularity, and up until "Exile On Main Street" the financial viability of the band was in question. Decca obviously thought they needed a boost.

Several original Blue Note LPs show up this week, and the return of Northern Soul continues.

1. LP - The Rolling Stones "promotional album" Decca UK Promo 1969 - $5,640.12

2. 45 - Nabay "Believe It Or Not" / "Believe It Or Not instr" Impact 1032 - $3,005.00

3. LP - Lee Morgan "Candy" Blue Note 1590 - $2,111.00

4. LP - Kenny Burrell "self-titled" Blue Note 1543 (Warhol Cover) - $2,025.00

5. 10" - Rose Batiste & San Remo Strings "Hit & Run" / "They're For You?" Acetate - $2,024.00



Vinyl Record Talk is Live Today at 8pm ET / 5pm PT at Radio Dentata

We'll be back live on Radio Dentata this Tuesday, and we're also going to have video on BlogTV. So join us for an experimental broadcast as a couple of old farts try and grasp a new and strange world.

But we'll be bringing along the comfort of warm vinyl, with some private press Prog from the bowels of the 1970s, and some sweet soul 45s.

We'll have the Top 5 for the past few weeks, plus Rolling Stones urinals in the news.

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these types of collaborations sell by the millions....

'NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 41' to be Released February 7

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's best-selling, multi-artist album series, NOW That's What I Call Music!, will release NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 41 on February 7.

NOW 41 will be available on CD and for download purchase from all major digital service providers.

NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 41 features 16 current major chart hits from today's hottest artists, including LMFAO, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Adele, Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine, Coldplay, Toby Keith, and more, plus four free up-and-coming "NOW What's Next" New Music Preview tracks.

The "NOW What's Next" bonus track program featured on each numeric NOW release continues to preview hot new artists with tomorrow's biggest hits. NOW 41 showcases up and coming tracks from Sammy Adams, Hunter Hayes, Susan Justice, and The Wanted.

The NOW That's What I Call Music! series is a joint venture from EMI Music North America, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group. NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 41 will be distributed by EMI Music North America. NOW and NOW That's What I Call Music! are registered trademarks of EMI (IP) Limited.

The NOW That's What I Call Music! series debuted in the U.S. in 1998, after the brand had been a multi-platinum international success for 15 years. The series has generated sales exceeding 200 million albums worldwide, including more than 83 million copies in the U.S. Every album in the numeric U.S. series has reached Billboard's Top 10, and 15 NOW releases have reached #1, second only to The Beatles in chart history.

www.nowthatsmusic.com

NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 41 [CD; digital]

1. LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It
2. Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
3. Lady Gaga - Marry The Night
4. Jessie J - Domino
5. Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine - Stereo Hearts
6. T-Pain featuring Lily Allen - 5 O'Clock
7. J. Cole - Work Out
8. Pitbull featuring Chris Brown - International Love
9. Breathe Carolina - Blackout
10. Selena Gomez and the Scene - Love You Like A Love Song
11. Gavin DeGraw - Not Over You
12. Coldplay - Paradise
13. Adele - Someone Like You
14. Nickelback - Lullaby
15. Luke Bryan - I Don't Want This Night To End
16. Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup

BONUS TRACKS: "NOW What's Next" New Music Preview

17. Sammy Adams - Blow Up
18. Hunter Hayes - Somebody's Heartbreak
19. Susan Justice - Eat Dirt
20. The Wanted - Glad You Came

SOURCE EMI Music / Sony Music Entertainment / Universal Music Group

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i like the band, but this is a pretty bold leading line.....certainly could be debated...

"Best New Band in the Last Decade" to Release Live Double CD

Black Country Communion to Release Rip-Roaring Double Concert CD "Live Over Europe" on February 28, 2012

BCC to go back into the studio for third record this Summer

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Country Communion, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), will release their first concert CD Live Over Europe on February 28, 2012 on the J&R Adventures imprint. This 2-disc CD follows up the October 2011 release of the 2-disc DVD by the same name. The album is available for pre-order at: www.bccommunion.com. Get your free download of the single "Cold" from the live album at: http://bitly.com/BCCPRERORDER.

Recently named by Eddie Trunk and co-hosts as "Best New Band of the Last 10 Years" on VH1 Classic's That Metal Show, BCC taped Live Over Europe during its debut tour in the summer of 2011. On the album, the band blazes through 17 tracks, recorded in surround over three nights, playing to packed venues in Hamburg, Munich and Berlin. The set list includes songs from both of BCC's albums – 2010's self-titled debut and 2011's sophomore release 2 - including "Black Country," "One Last Soul," "Save Me," "Man In The Middle," "Cold," and "Song of Yesterday." Also included in the mix is "The Ballad Of John Henry," from Bonamassa's 2009 solo album and the Deep Purple classic "Burn."

Producer Kevin Shirley explains, "We saw that this live act could be an awesome force of nature to behold; one that promised legendary performances like those of our heroes of Classic Rock. The plan was to get them out there for the entire world to hear. Records allow a certain musical finesse, but live performance promises so much in the very transient nature of a gig; chances are taken, boundaries are crossed and the most exciting performances explode. Two studio albums built a repertoire big enough for a full concert which allowed us to unleash the monster for all the world to see and feel."

Guitar World named BCC's 2 as #12 in their Top 50 Albums of 2011. In November, BCC scooped up the Breakthrough Award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. ClassicRockRevisited.com called BCC the "Great Last Hope for Classic Hard Rock."

BCC debut tour took the band around the world, playing to cities in North America and Europe. On June 10, at Anaheim, CA's Grove of Anaheim, The Orange County Register exclaimed, "The four members of BCC truly recast the heavy rock of the '60s and '70s and yank it into the 21st century as well as anyone in recent memory."

Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. Revolution of the Machine
2. Black Country
3. One Last Soul
4. Crossfire
5. Save Me
6. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
7. Beggarman
8. Faithless
9. Song of Yesterday
10. I Can See Your Spirit

Disc 2
11. Cold
12. The Ballad of John Henry
13. The Outsider
14. The Great Divide
15. Sista Jane
16. Man In The Middle
17. Burn

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All Four Small Faces Albums Getting Multi-Disk Reissues

They are about to go into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and, on May 7, Universal Music will release deluxe edition of all four albums released by the Small Faces.

The albums in question: Small Faces (April 1966) From the Beginning (June 1967); Small Faces (June 1967) and Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (June 1968) will each be released as deluxe two-disc editions with the notable exception of Ogden's which has now been expanded to three discs.

All newly re-mastered, these definitive editions carry both the mono and stereo versions of the albums, plus related non-album singles and alternate versions many of which are previously unreleased or released for the first time on CD.

Read more at our friends at vintagevinylnews

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in music history for january 31st:

In 1957, Decca Records announced that Bill Haley And His Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" had sold over a million copies in the UK, mostly on 10 inch 78's.

In 1959, Bob Dylan is said to have been in the audience as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper played Duluth, Minnesota less than three days before their fatal plane crash.

In 1961, at 24 years old, Bobby Darin becomes the youngest performer at that time to headline a TV special as Bobby Darin & Friends airs on NBC.

In 1963, the Beach Boys record "Surfin' USA", which will climb to number three in the US by mid-April. Although it was credited as being composed by Brian Wilson, the tune was a note-for-note cover of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". Following a lawsuit, Berry was granted writing credit and royalties from the record.

In 1967, the Beatles spent a second day at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, England to complete filming for the “Strawberry Fields Forever” promotional video. The film was shot in color for the benefit of the US market since UK television was still broadcasting only in black and white. Taking time out from filming, John Lennon bought an 1843 poster from an antiques shop in Surrey, which provided him with most of the lyrics for the song “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite.”



In 1969, singer/songwriter/keyboardist Billy Preston signed with Apple Records.

Also in 1969, the Beatles recorded the master take of the song "Let It Be." Paul McCartney played piano, John Lennon played bass, newly signed Billy Preston played organ, with George Harrison on guitar and Ringo Starr on drums. Harrison overdubbed new guitar solos, one in late April 1969, another in early January 1970. The first overdub solo was used for the original single release, produced and mixed by George Martin, and the "more stinging" second overdub solo was used for the Phil Spector-mixed original album release.

Also in 1969, Crow recorded "Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me."

In 1970, the Jackson 5 score the first of four straight Billboard number one hits with "I Want You Back". The song reached #2 in the UK.

In 1970, in New Orleans, members of the Grateful Dead were arrested for possession of LSD and barbiturates. Reportedly the band had clashed with mob interests in Texas who alerted the New Orleans Police Department. The incident is alleged to be the inspiration for their song "Truckin,'" with lines in the song such as "Houston, too close to New Orleans" and "set up like a bowling pin."

Creedence Clearwater Revial (CCR) filmed a television special in 1970.

In 1970, Slim Harpo, who had a US Top 40 hit with "Baby Scratch My Back", died of a heart attack while recording in London. He was 46.

In 1972, less than a day after an incident now known as "Bloody Sunday" in which British soldiers killed twelve Irish civil rights demonstrators, Paul McCartney writes and records "Give Ireland Back To The Irish". After some resistance from EMI, the song will finally be released on February 25th, but was immediately banned by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. Despite the lack of air-play, the song would reach #1 on the singles charts in the Republic of Ireland and Spain, also climbing to #16 on the UK singles chart and #21 in the US.

In 1978, Blood Sweat & Tears saxophone player Greg Herbert died of an accidental drug overdose in Amsterdam during the band's European tour. He was just 30 years old.

In 1979, the Clash began their first US tour with Bo Diddley as their opening act.

In 1981, Jazz drummer Cozy Cole, who had a US #3 hit with "Topsy, Part II" in 1958, died of cancer at age 73.

Also in 1981, Blondie tops the Cashbox Best Sellers list and The Billboard Hot 100 with "The Tide Is High", a song written and recorded in 1967 by John Holt and his Kingston, Jamaica band, The Paragons.

In 1985, the mother of the group The Cowsills, Barbara Cowsill, passes away at the age of 56. She and her family were the real life inspiration for The Partridge Family TV show.

Also in 1985, at the Chaplin Stage in Hollywood, California, former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty gave his first live performance in 14 years.

On this day in 1985, "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner was the #1 song.

In 1987, Paul Simon's "Graceland" went to number 1 on the UK album chart. The LP would stay on the list for 101 weeks.

In 1997, David Bowie released part of his holdings in intellectual property for sale on the stock market, becoming the first Rock star to offer Wall Street stock options on his career.

In 1998, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen, members of the E Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny performed at the "Come Together" benefit concert for the family of Sgt. Patrick King, a New Jersey police officer who had been killed in the line of duty.

In 2001, it was announced that Peter Criss was leaving KISS and that he would be replaced by Eric Singer for the remainder of dates of the farewell tour. Criss' last show was on October 7, 2000.

In 2008, Natasha Bedingfield entered the U.S. charts at #3 for her album Pocketful of Sunshine, equaling the record set by soul singer Sade with the highest-ever U.S. chart debut for a U.K.-signed female. Bedingfield sold 50,000 copies of the record in its first week of release.

In 2009, Dewy Martin, drummer and backing vocalist for Buffalo Springfield on their 1967 hit "For What It's Worth", died from hardening of the arteries at the age of 68.

In 2010, Beyoncé set a Grammy record for females when she won six. The six awards were Song Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Contemporary R&B Album.

birthdays today include (among others): Marcus Mumford (Muford & Sons) (25), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) (61), Henry Wayne Casey (K.C. & the Sunshine Band) (61), Curly Smith (Jo Jo Gunne) (60), Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake) (58), John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) (Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd.) (56), Scott Ian (born Scott Rosenfeld) (Anthrax) (49), Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) (48), Chad Channing (Nirvana) (45) and Jason Cooper (Cure) (45)

Monday, January 30, 2012

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases ~ January 31, 2012







Adam Arcuragi - Like a fire that consumes all before it...
All the Saints - Intro To Fractions
Aretha Franklin - Knew You Were Waiting: The Best of Aretha Franklin 1980-1998
Arrival - Complete Collection (2 CDs)
Aufgehoben - Fragments of The Marble Plan
BT - Laptop Symphony
Beryl Marsden - Changes: The Story of Beryl Marsden
Black Bananas - Rad Times Xpress IV (vinyl)
Black Pyramid - Black Pyramid II
Bleeding Through - The Great Fire
Blue Cheer - Outsideinside (reissue)
Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum (reissue)
Bo Carter & the Mississippi Sheiks - Bo Carter & the Mississippi Sheiks (4 CDs)
Bonnie Pointer - Bonnie Pointer
Buxton - Nothing Here Seems Strange
Carsie Blanton - Idiot Heart
Cirith Ungol - Servants of Chaos
Darrell Scott - Long Ride Home
David Bowie - Hours (remastered)
Diana Ross - Diana Ross 1976: Special Edition (2 CDs)
Doug Jerebine - Is Jesse Harper (vinyl)
El Caco - Hatred, Love and Diagrams
Elephant Micah - Louder Than Thou
Ella Fitzgerald - Songbooks: The Absolutely Essential (3 CDs)
Errors - Have Some Faith In Magic
FM Einheit, Irmler, Paul, Young - Spielwiese 3 (vinyl)
Fionn Regan - 100 Acres of Sycamore
Fred Hammond - God, Love & Romance
Fresh Beat Band - Music From the Hit TV Show
Glen Campbell - It's Just a Matter of Time
Golden Calves - Collection: Money Band + Century
Gotye - Making Mirrors
Gretchen Peters - Hello Cruel World
Grimes - Visions
Hospitality - Hospitality
Hugh Masakela - Jabulani
I Exist - II - The Broken Passage
Imperial Teen - Feel the Sound
Integrity - Kingdom Of Heaven
Isaac Hayes - Don't Let Go
Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch (vinyl)
John Cage - Number Pieces 6: Five / Seven / Thirteen
John Hiatt - Open Road (vinyl)
John Zorn - Mount Analogue
Jono El Grande - The Choko King (vinyl)
Junior Bruce - The Headless King
King Giant - Dismal Hollow
Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline: Limited Boxset
Ladytron - Witching Hour (vinyl)
Lana Del Rey - Born to Die
Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas (vinyl)
Liberteer - Better To Die on Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees
Loops of Your Heart - And Never Ending Nights (vinyl)
Louis Armstrong - Satchmo: The Louis Armstrong Collection (2 CDs)
Lymbyc Systym - Shutter Release (reissue)
Metallica - Beyond Magnetic EP
Mike Doughty - The Question Jar Show
Mirrorwriting - Jamie Woon
Mr. Gnome - Madness in Miniature
My Ticket Home - To Create A Cure
Night Genes - Like the Blood
Nurse With Wound/Graham Bowers - Rupture
One Model Nation - Total Werks Vol. 1 (1969-1977)
PacificUV - Weekends
Pepe Deluxe - Queen of the Wave
Pet Shop Boys - Before (remixes EP)
Phish - Live At Madison Square Garden New Year's Eve 1995
Prinzhorn Dance School - Clay Class
Ringo Starr - Ringo 2012 (vinyl)
Ruthie Foster - Let It Burn
Scream Out Loud - Live It Up
Shonen Knife - Osaka Ramones: Tribute To The Ramone
Staple Singers - Turning Point
Sunn O))) - ØØ Void
Susumu Yokota - Dreamer
Terry Riley - Aleph
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Out of Frequency
The Big Sleep - Nature Experiments
The Bloody Beetroots - Church of Noise (vinyl)
The Doozer - Keep It Together
The Ex-Girlfriends Club - Boo Hoo Hoo
The Jealous Sound - A Gentle Reminder
The Magnetic Fields - Andrew in Drag / When Next I Fall in Love (vinyl)
The Micronaut - Friedfisch
The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Following
The Pines - Dark So Gold
Thrice - At: Guitar Center (7")
Tom Morello - One Man Revolution: The Nightwatchman
Tomb - Uag
Tony Rice - The Bill Monroe Collection
Tymes - So Much in Love
Underworld - Anthology 1992 – 2012
Underworld - Collection
Various Artists - Golden Gate Groove: The Sound Of Philadelphia in San Francisco 1973
Various Artists - Tally Ho! Flying Nun's Greatest Bits
Various Artists - The Alan Lomax Collection from the American Folklife Center
Various Artists - Matador: Intended Play 2012 (vinyl)
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents Brazilian Beat
Various Artists - Tucson Songs: Exciting New Sounds from Southern Arizona (vinyl)
Various Artists - Underworld Awakening (soundtrack)
Vendetta - Feed The Extermination
Words Like Daggers - Literature
Zomes - Improvisations




Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

vinyl doing well in new zealand!

Vinyl renaissance supports store

MATT STEWART

Vinyl Heaven owner Adrian Roberts says being an "analogue guy in a digital world" works for his music retail business, in spite of, not because of the ubiquity of the world wide web.

Roberts set up his music emporium in low overhead premises on Masterton's Jackson St in late 2009, and over two full financial years has watched business expand to an annual turnover of $150,000 - an upswing he is working to continue.

"We've found our niche in the market and we're securing it. We're trying to grow the business every year."

The initial fiscal spurt is down to a "vinyl renaissance" that has sparked renewed interest in the revolving platters, inspiring teenagers to dust off their parents' record collections, veteran music fans to replace worn out tapes and records with CDs.

"What I'm seeing is teenagers finding Dad's old record player and then coming into the shop and buying vinyl."

Read the rest at stuff.co.nz

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Happy Mondays Confirm Reunion Tour

British band Happy Mondays have recently confirmed the original line-up will be reforming for a reunion tour this year. The group disbanded 19 years ago as frontman Shaun Ryder's drug addiction spiralled out of control, and when they reunited in 1999, original guitarist Mark Day and keyboardist Paul Davis refused to join the comeback. Recent rumours suggested the musicians have put their differences aside for a set of reunion gigs and now singer Rowetta has confirmed they will be undertaking a month-long tour in May with the full original line-up.

She tells BBC News, "We want to put on a really good show. We decided it would only be special and work if it was the total, original line-up. We're all really excited. They are my family these boys, I've really missed them and I'm sure they've missed each other."

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Modern Day Escape Reveal New Album's Cover Art

California hard rockers Modern Day Escape have revealed the cover art for the band's sophomore effort called 'Under The Gun,' which is scheduled for release on March 27th via Standby Records.













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Chambers Brothers to Reunite

The Chambers Brothers, who scored a major hit in 1968 with Time Has Come Today, are reuniting for a new album and summer tour.

Being voted as one of Los Angeles' top 50 bands was such an honor for them that they made the decision to bring the band back together.

Read more at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com

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Ringo 2012 Out Tommorrow

"This is an anthem of peace and love," Ringo Starr sings with irony on the opening track of his 17th solo album.

Ringo talks to USA Today



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and in music history for january 30th:

not really music trivia, but interesting none the less: In 1933, "The Lone Ranger" debuted on WXYZ Radio in Detroit. Next it was heard on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio network; and finally on NBC's Blue Network, which became ABC. The last of its 2,956 original episodes was broadcast September 3, 1954. Transcribed repeats of the 1952–53 episodes continued on ABC until June 24, 1955, and then selected repeats appeared on NBC from September 1955 until May 25, 1956, giving the radio series a total run of more than 23 years.

In 1955, although more than half a million jukeboxes were scattered around North America, US manufacturer AMI finally introduces the pay-for-play devices in the UK. Company president John Haddock says he intended to target the ever growing coffee house market first.

In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded a cover version of Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes," which will reach number 20 on the US Pop chart in April.

Recording cover versions of songs was standard practice during the 1940s and 1950s, and "Blue Suede Shoes" was one of the first tunes RCA wanted their new performer, Elvis Presley, to record. "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Shoes" rose on the charts at roughly the same time. RCA, with its superior distribution and radio contacts, knew it could probably steal a hit record from Phillips and Perkins. For his part, when Presley, who knew both Perkins and Phillips from his days at Sun Records, gave in to pressure from RCA, he requested that they hold back his version from release as a single. The Elvis version features two guitar solos by Scotty Moore, along with Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums.

According to Scotty Moore, when the song was recorded, "We just went in there and started playing, just winged it. Just followed however Elvis felt." According to reports confirmed by Sam Phillips, RCA producer Steve Sholes agreed not to release Presley's version of the song as a single while Carl's release was hot.

Moore has said that Presley recorded the song to help out Perkins after his accident. "Elvis wasn't really thinking at that time that it was going to make money for Carl; he was doing it as more of a tribute type thing. Of course Carl was glad he did. It really helped as his record started going down."

"Blue Suede Shoes" was the first song on the groundbreaking album Elvis Presley, which was released in March. RCA released two other records with "Blue Suede Shoes" the same month: one an Extended Play with four songs, RCA EPA 747, and a 2x extended play version with eight songs, RCA EPB 1254.



In 1961, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller announce they are forming an independent production company.

In 1961, the Shirelles became the first girl group to have the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 when "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" reached the top. They would go on to place ten more hits in the Top 40. The song reached #4 in the UK.

In 1965, following her 1963 #8 hit "The Nitty Gritty", Shirley Ellis reaches #3 on the Billboard Pop chart and #4 on the R&B chart with a novelty tune called "The Name Game".

In 1967, the Beatles had their first day of shooting on the promo video for Strawberry Fields Forever.

In 1969, with Billy Preston sitting in on keyboards, The Beatles performed in public for the last time when they played a 42 minute rooftop concert above Apple Corps headquarters. The show was stopped by the police after neighbors complained about the noise. It had been 2½ years since the Beatles had played Candlestick Park, San Francisco, on August 29th, 1966.

They performed "Get Back" (take 1), "Get Back" (take 2), "Don't Let Me Down" (take 1), "I've Got A Feeling" (take 1), "One After 909," "Dig A Pony," "I've Got A Feeling" (take 2), "Don't Let Me Down" (take 2), "Get Back" (take 3).



In 1973, After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss make their first appearance as KISS at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.

The band formed in 1970, under its original name Rainbow. Notable original members were bassist Gene Klein and rhythm guitarist Stanley Eisen, later to be known as Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. In 1971 the band changed their name to Wicked Lester, and recorded an album for Epic Records, which was never officially released. The sessions have been released in bootleg form as The Original Wicked Lester Sessions.

Kiss eventually released three tracks from these sessions on their 2001 Box Set release. Wicked Lester's music featured elements of rock and roll, folk rock and pop. Simmons and Stanley, feeling that the group lacked a unifying musical vision, began forming a new band in late 1972. With an emphasis on straight-forward rock and roll plus theatrics, they became the hard rock band Kiss in early 1973

Paul Stanley placed an ad in The Village Voice stating, "LEAD GUITARIST WANTED with Flash and Ability. Album Out Shortly. No time wasters please." The ad ran for two issues, December 7 and December 14, 1972, leading to several audition sessions. One audition was by Paul "Ace" Frehley who showed up wearing different colored shoes, walked into the room without saying a word, hooked up his guitar and started playing. Frehley was asked back for a second audition and was a member of the band by Christmas 1972. Within a few weeks, the group had changed its name to Kiss and played their first concert on January 30, 1973.

In 1970, Edison Lighthouse were at #1 on the U.K. singles chart with “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes).” The group's only Top 40 hit spent five weeks at the top of the charts. In February 1970, Tony Burrows became the first (and still the only) person to appear on BBC Television's Top of the Pops fronting three different acts in one show: Edison Lighthouse (who were #1 that week), White Plains and Brotherhood of Man.

In 1974, Bob Dylan gave his first New York concert in eight years at Madison Square Garden.

In 1975, The Bee Gees begin recording "Jive Talkin", which will become their second US chart topper and their fourteenth Billboard Top 20 hit. Barry Gibb's inspiration for the song came when his wife commented on the sound their car made while crossing a bridge over Biscayne Bay into Miami. She noted, "It's our drive talkin'." music would never be the same.....

In 1980, blues singer/pianist (Mardi Gras In New Orleans, Big Chief) Henry Byrd, who performed as "Professor Longhair," died after a heart attack at age 61.

In 1982, country blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Sam John "Lightnin'" Hopkins died of esophageal cancer at age 69.

In 1982, Hall And Oates' "I Can't Go for That" hit number one on the Billboard Pop chart and the R&B chart simultaneously, one week after reaching number one on the Disco chart. It becomes only the fourth single by a white act to reach the top of the R&B chart since 1965. The record was also a #8 hit in the UK

In 1989, George Michael has a big night at the 16th American Music Awards, winning Favorite Album for "Faith" and Favorite Male Artist in both the Pop / Rock and Soul / R&B categories.

In 1999, after spending 11 weeks on the chart, Britney Spears started a two-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “...Baby One More Time.” Britney's debut album also went to #1 on the U.S. chart on the same day.

In 2008, Madonna topped Forbes magazine's list of the 20 top grossing females. The 49 year old material girl banked $72 million between June 2006 and June 2007, while Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion followed, taking home $60m and $45m respectively.

In 2009, after a two year battle, James Brown's family reached a settlement over the late Soul singer's estate that would divide Brown's remaining assets and give his beneficiaries the ability to make money by using his music and likeness. Half of Brown's assets were to go to his charitable trust to educate his grandchildren and needy students in Georgia and South Carolina. The rest would be split between his surviving spouse, Tomi Rae Hynie and some of Brown's adult children.

In 2011, film score composer (Born Free, The Lion In Winter, Out Of Africa, Dances With Wolves, eleven James Bond films) John Barry died after a heart attack at age 77.

birthdays today include (among others): Joe Terranova (Danny & the Juniors) (71), Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) (70), William King (Commodores) (63), Phil Collins (61), Andy Anderson (Cure) (61), Marv Ross (Quarterflash) (61) and Steve Bartek (Strawberry Alarm Clock, Oingo Boingo) (60)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

this from a University of Dayton writer, sounds like a great idea, would love to hear how it goes.....

Vinyl party kicks it 'old school'

Nathan Vicar, Staff Writer

Prior to iTunes and MP3s, vinyl records were the only way to listen to music. A piece of plastic was placed on a player, and with a needle set into the grooves, music played through speakers.

Music fans will have the opportunity to pay homage to this "old school" style of listening to music at a party from 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in ArtStreet Studio D.

Attendees of "For the Record ... This is a Vinyl Party" can bring their own records or make requests from the selection of host Sean Kaschak, a second-year graduate student in teacher education.

Kaschak is known on campus as the lead guitarist and songwriter for a rock group composed of several University of Dayton graduates, The Jaywalkers. The Jaywalkers opened for Guster in 2009 at the first-ever Charity Concert Committee event at UD Arena.

Kaschak said he discussed with friends last semester the idea of having a low-key vinyl party at UD. He worked on the idea with friends, Bobby Trick, a sixth-year senior general studies major, and Ronnie Pinnell, a senior electronic media major, the co-presidents of Street Sounds Recording Studio on campus.

Kaschak said he will bring his personal collection of vinyl records to the event. During the party, attendees will be able to access his collection of approximately 150 records through a website. This will allow students or other guests to see a wide variety of records and make requests.

Kaschak said he believes songs are put in a specific order on an album in order to tell a story or have a general flow for the album.

Read the rest at flyernews.com

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Joe Walsh Finishes New Album, Still Hates Government and Computers

Michael Leonard

Joe Walsh is done with his new solo album, Analog Man. It is set for a release in May or June and will be his first solo set since 1992’s Songs for a Dying Planet.

In a new interview with the San Diego Reader about the upcoming album, Walsh seems more concerned with technophobia and the state of the union. Of the album title, he says: “I just decided I better get with it. After all, it is the digital age. Back when it was all analog, we used to go in the studio, and studios had knobs. We used to turn knobs and say, let’s see what this does. Now, we have a mouse. We [the members of the Eagles] spend hours yelling at our computers. My son comes in and he says: Dad, you’re really stupid.

Read the rest at gibson.com








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Dick Kniss, Bassist for Peter Paul & Mary and John Denver, Passes Away at 74

Dick Kniss, the bassist for two of the biggest folk artists in history, has passed away at the age of 74. Kniss died of chronic pulmonary disease in Kingston, NY near his home in Saugerties.

Kniss began his career playing in jazz bands but, in 1964, was hired by Peter, Paul and Mary to play on their albums and tours.

Read more at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com

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Ben Folds Five Reunite For New Album

North Carolina trio Ben Folds Five hit the studio after more than a decade off. Reunion rumors came to fruititon in 2008, when they reunited onstage in their native Chapel Hill, performing their final album 1999's 'The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner,' in its entirety. Spin is reporting that the trio are heading back to the studio for the first Ben Folds Five record in over a decade.

Best known for their 1997 album "Whatever and Ever Amen," which featured the minor hit "Brick," the band released three albums in the '90s before breaking up amicably in 2000.

Fans can't wait for the new music with chat rooms abuzz about the new recordings.

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Evans Blue Frontman Dan Chandler Dishes on Album Artwork

Evans Blue recently debuted the artwork for their new albumcalled ‘Graveyard of Empires,’ which is scheduled for release on April 17.

Evans Blue frontman Dan Chandler talked about the artwork and the symbolism behind the album title.

“It has a lot to do with the music business, it has to do with the whole Wall Street thing,” Chandler told Loudwire.“To me it was more like being independent or just being an individual and being able to overcome a lot of these things.”

“When I see these companies collapsing, it kind of makes me feel like you can do this on your own. People are going to fall so you can fall on your own or you can fall with a bunch of people, it’s just one of those things.”








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lovely.....

AUTOPSY Reveals Album Cover Art

Death metal vets Autopsy have recently revealed the album cover art and track list for their upcoming 22-track collection, 'All Tomorrow’s Funerals.' The effort is slated for a February 28th release via Peaceville Records and will contain remastered versions of all of Autopsy’s past EP’s plus four brand new tracks. Renowned artist Matt Cavotta supplied the cover art.

Tracklist:
1. All Tomorrow’s Funerals (NEW track)
2. Broken People (NEW track)
3. Mauled To Death (NEW track)
4. Maggot Holes (NEW track)
5. The Tomb Within
6. My Corpse Shall Rise
7. Seven Skulls
8. Human Genocide
9. Mutant Village
10. Horrific Obsession
11. Feast of the Graveworm
12. Funereality
13. Fiend For Blood
14. Keeper Of Decay
15. Squeal Like A Pig
16. Ravenous Freaks
17. A Different Kind of Mindfuck
18. Dead Hole
19. Retribution For The Dead
20. Destined To Fester
21. In The Grip of Winter
22. Sign of the Corpse

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album cover art of the day:

IMPENDING DOOM: New Album Cover Artwork Revealed

Riverside, California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM will release their fourth full-length album, "Baptized In Filth", on March 13. The CD was produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and was mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.

The cover artwork for "Baptized in Flith" can be seen below. Bassist David Sittig states, "'Baptized In Filth' represents the mindless indulgance and self-worship in the vile world we live in. This album is meant to scare the hell out of you!"

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth











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and in music history for january 28th:

In 1940, the musical quiz show "Beat the Band" began a 4½-year run on NBC Radio in two distinctly different series. The first, which aired until 1941, was hosted by Garry Moore and featured the Ted Weems Orchestra with vocalist Perry Como. The second version was hosted by Hildegarde, then Eddie Mayehoff, and the Harry Sosnik band supplied the music.

In 1956, Elvis Presley made his network TV debut with the first of six appearances on CBS' "Dorsey Brothers Stage Show," a variety program hosted by big band legends Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Backed by Scotty Moore, Bill Black and the Dorseys' band, Elvis sang "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

In 1965, the Who made their first appearance on U.K. TV show Ready Steady Go! To project the desired image, the hand-picked audience consisted only of teens dressed in the current mod fashion.

In 1968, Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested and charged with public drunkenness after harassing a security guard at a Las Vegas adult movie theater.

Also in 1968, during their tour in Australia, members of the Who and the Small Faces were escorted off their flight from Adelaide to Essendon for drinking beer on the plane, being rowdy, and using "very bad language." Two of the plane's four flight attendants were reportedly in tears.

In 1969, Stevie Wonder released the single "My Cherie Amour."

In 1976, Chris Kenner, who reached number two in the US in 1961 with "I Like It Like That," suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 57.

In 1978, rocker Ted Nugent autographs a man's arm with a bowie knife after the fan had requested it.

In 1983, British rock and roll singer Billy Fury died of heart failure. He was known for the 1961 U.K. #3 single “Halfway to Paradise,” plus 25 other Top 40 U.K. singles. His We Want Billy (released 1963, with The Tornados) was one of the first live albums in British rock history. Played rock ’n’ roller Stormy Tempest in the film That’ll Be the Day alongside David Essex and Ringo Starr.

Also in 1983, Radio station WDHA, 105.5 in New Jersey claims to be the first US station to play music from a compact disc.

In 1984, Frankie Goes to Hollywood started a five-week run at #1 on the UK singles chart with “Relax.” BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read expressed, on air, his distaste for both the record’s suggestive sleeve and its lyrics. He announced his refusal to play the record, not knowing that the BBC had decided that the song was not to be played on the BBC anyway. Produced by Trevor Horn, the song remained on the chart for 48 weeks. Later in the year, the ban would be lifted.

In 1985, forty-six major American recording artists came together at A&M Studios in Hollywood, to record "We Are The World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. The effort was part of an album called "USA for Africa" and featured an all-star cast that included Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry, Ray Charles and others. Those attending the session were asked to "leave your egos at the door." The proceeds went first to starving residents of Ethiopia and eventually toward hunger prevention worldwide.

In 1990, Paula Abdul started a 10-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Forever Your Girl.' Abdul spent 64 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 before hitting #1, making it the longest time for an album to reach the #1 spot.

In 1997, Pat Boone released an album of Heavy Metal tunes called "In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy", a tongue-in-cheek collection of tunes like "Smoke on the Water" and "Stairway to Heaven". When the religious community failed to get the joke, he was dismissed from his Trinity Broadcasting Network program, Gospel America. He would later make an appearance on TBN with the president of the network, Paul Crouch, and his pastor, Jack Hayford, where he explained that the album was a "parody of himself." Trinity Broadcasting then reinstated him and Gospel America was brought back.

In 1999, Pat Boone formed the Gold Records label, which will only sign artists 45 years old and up. The first perfomer signed was Jack Jones.

In 2000, saxophonist/bandleader Thomas “Beans” Bowles died of prostate cancer at age 73. He played on many Motown sessions including Marvin Gaye’s, “What’s Going On,” Martha and the Vandellas’ “Heat Wave” and The Supremes’ “Baby Love” and wrote the melody for Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips Pt. 2.”

In 2005, English drummer and singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi died of stomach cancer at age 60. A member of Traffic and a solo star, he also worked with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

In 2007, 'Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture' was at #1 on the US album chart. The movie musical, based on the history of Diana Ross and the Supremes, featured Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson.

In 2009, Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell died at the age of 56 of a heart attack in Florida. Powell called police saying he was having trouble breathing and emergency services tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead an hour later. Powell had missed a doctor’s appointment on the day before his death; the appointment was for a checkup on his heart.

birthdays today include (among others): Sarah McLachlan (44), Dan Spitz (Anthrax) (49), Marty Fried (Cyrkle) (68), Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine) (67) and Rick Allen (Box Tops) (66)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

well, the vinyl revival is official, it made the New York Times!!!!

It's Alive! Vinyl Makes a Comeback

By ERIC FELTEN

The digital revolution was supposed to do away with a lot of fusty old relics. First compact discs took their toll on the long-playing (and long-played) vinyl record; then iPods and digital downloads began doing the same to CDs. But long after the eulogies had been delivered, the vinyl LP has been revived.

The LP still represents just a sliver of music sales. But last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan data, while CD sales fell by more than 5%, vinyl record sales grew more than 36%.

Read the rest at online.wsj.com

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very well written article from my neck of the woods, and the way to make a vinyl destination fun!

Rock n Roll Land aims to be more than a record store

Written by Kendra Meinert / Green Bay Press-Gazette

You know that vintage KISS ashtray you were dying to get your hands on?

Already gone.

The autographed 45’s from The Stray Cats went quick, too.

But if you’re in the market for an Iron Maiden skateboard, a Social Distortion bowling ball or a signed copy of April Wine’s 1981 “The Nature of the Beast’’ album, you’re still in luck. And there’s no telling what you might come across when you start rummaging through the 15-albums-for-$4.99 bargain vinyl bins – Supertramp, Eric Carmen, Lionel Richie …

Never mind that you could download an entire CD on iTunes in less time than it takes you to browse the glass case of hair pomades and rack of 1985 Circus magazines at the entrance of Rock n Roll Land, the whole idea of the Green Bay record shop is to stay a while. Owners Phil Doran and Todd Magnuson, who opened last fall in a portion of the former Henri’s Music at 504 S. Military Ave., wanted to create a space that’s more than just a retail destination.

Read the rest at greenbaypressgazette.com

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wow, vinyl from another perspective, suggested reading!!

These Apps Are Helping a New Generation of Audiophiles Discover Vinyl

By Andy Cush - Evolver.fm

As someone who spends lots of time thinking about the future of music as an app phenomenon, it might surprise you that I do a lot of my listening on vinyl records.

I'm not alone – reports abound of vinyl's surging sales numbers over the past five or so years. Though they make up a tiny percentage of overall music sales, vinyl record sales have grown at a time when other physical formats are skidding. It might have something to do with my age and the people I hang out with, many of whom are music nerds of the highest order, but I don't know a single person who buys CDs. Everyone I know who is interested in having physical copies of their music buys it on wax.

I should mention that I'm in my early twenties. I had cassettes as a kid, but CDs have been the dominant physical format of my lifetime. Napster came out when I was in elementary school. IPods arrived at the beginning of seventh grade. Digital music has been a part of my musical life since nearly the beginning.

I can't find numbers to support this claim, but I'd bet that many of the so-called "digital natives" buying all of this vinyl are like me: serious young music fans who are well aware of the respective advantages and disadvantages of both formats.

Read the rest at gizmodo.com

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fantastic for the underground music scene, should be some great SF sounds crackling on vinyl!

Superior Viaduct Records: Reissuing Forgotten Gems of San Francisco's Past

By Sam LefebvreFri

​Many local labels are offering obscure reissues and innovative new releases on all conceivable formats. Label Sampler is a new column that will profile a different Bay Area imprint each week.

Name: Superior Viaduct

Headquarters: North Beach, San Francisco

Owner: Steve Viaduct

Founded: 2011

Musical Focus: Superior Viaduct specializes in archival releases and reissues of Bay Area bands from the 1970s and 1980s. During our interview, Steve was reluctant to pigeonhole the genre focus of his label, but reluctantly characterized his releases as punk and new wave, although he plans to venture into avant-garde, free jazz and piano music in the future.

Creation story: "I've been researching S.F. music for a long time," says Steve, who requested that his last name be omitted. "At one point, a museum that was doing an exhibit on California art contacted me because someone had told them that I was an expert on San Francisco punk, which I thought was hilarious. I wrote back and said it was funny to be called an expert on punk because there are no experts. By definition, punk is DIY and independent, not professional. It's not legitimized by any institution, so to be tagged as an expert seemed ridiculous. But the one question I was repeatedly asked was, 'Where can I find this music?' At that point I would have to say that unless you know it already or you're willing to spend a lot of money on Ebay, you can't get a hold of the music. Especially with bands like Noh Mercy, whose recordings have never been officially released."

Read the rest of the story at blogs.sfweekly.com

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this out of the uk, the ultimate pack rat !

The vinyl countdown: Music fan searches for new home for record collection of 1m items 

Amy Glendinning

After a lifetime collecting records, music fan George Davenport is facing a vinyl countdown.

The 74-year-old has just weeks to find a new home for his thousands of records, CDs and tapes.

The collection, thought to number more than a million items spanning all genres of music, is currently housed in a basement in Newton Heath, Manchester.

But George is facing eviction and has yet to find new premises. George, who lives nearby, said: "I’ve been collecting records all my life.

"Over the years I’ve just bought anything and everything that people have wanted to get rid off.

"I’ve no idea how much there is now but people have said around a million."

Read the rest at menmedia.co.uk




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interesting album cover....

Imminent Sonic Destruction Reveals Album Details

Detroit's Imminent Sonic Destruction has recently released the artwork and track list for theie debut album, 'Recurring Themes.' The album, which will be released on February 24th 2012, was produced by Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson), and features nine original tracks that showcase the band's vocal harmonies soaring over original progressive-metal riffing, melodic compositions and the rhythms of ex-Tiles drummer, Pat DeLeon.

The cover art for 'Recurring Themes' was created by Man In The Mountain. The band stated: "The imagery of the artwork matches the music completely."

Tracklist
1. Driving Home
2. Monster
3. With Death, This Story Ends
4. Breaking Through
5. Temple
6. Here, It's Over
7. Sick
8. The Remembering
9. Raven


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Scale The Summit To Release Vinyl Version Of 'The Collective'

Prosthetic Records is scheduled to release 'The Collective,' the 2011 album by Scale the Summit on vinyl. The LP is limited to 500 copies on high-quality 180-gram vinyl and available now for pre-order at the Prosthetic Store. Additionally, it will contain the bonus track "Redwoods," a song recorded during "The Collective" sessions that to date has only been available on the Japanese version of the album.

Pre-order It Here











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Rory Gallagher Albums To Be Re-Issued

Rory Gallagher's first six albums are being reissued, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of his solo career.

These milestone albums were released during Gallagher's most prolific years, 1971 through 1974, when he recorded and produced six albums in a three year period. Each of the albums is now rereleased in digipack form with artwork restored from the original first release cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original quarter inch tapes. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes written by Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and former tour manager, legendary photographer Mick Rock, and British journalist Roy Hollingworth.

Daniel Gallagher, Rory's nephew and producer of the re-issues, said: “It's fantastic that 40 years since the original release of these albums the interest in Rory's music is still so strong and vibrant that we can celebrate the man's music by re-issuing his first six classic solo albums. We've aimed to release them in the spirit of the original release by going back to the vinyl artwork and original 1/4" tapes so that they look and sound exactly as Rory intended. It's also great to see in a digital world that the demand for a physical copy of Rory's music means we can release these albums on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years.”

The albums are:
•Rory Gallagher (1971)
•Deuce (1971)
•Live! in Europe (1972)
•Blueprint (1973)
•Tattoo (1973)
•Irish Tour '74 (1974)

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MOTÖRHEAD: More 'The Motör-Bag' Details Revealed

It's universally agreed amongst headbangers that MOTÖRHEAD is responsible for some of the greatest all-time hard rock/heavy metal songs ("Ace of Spades", "Overkill", etc.) and albums ("Ace of Spades", "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith", etc.) — not to mention featuring one of rock's all-time great characters in their ranks, Lemmy Kilmister. As a result, MOTÖRHEAD fans are always on the hunt for uncommon and rare items to complete their collection. And now, the group is offering a true treat for their fans, known as "The Motör-Bag".

Available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead, "The Motör-Bag" is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and is packed with exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else. Housed in a MOTÖRHEAD messenger bag, inside you will find two double vinyl LPs of stunning MOTÖRHEAD performances (in their entirety), recorded in New York and Manchester — that can only be found in "The Motör-Bag" package.

Read the rest at our friends at Blabbermouth








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album cover art of the day:

The Obscene Reveals Album Cover Artwork For Debut Release

UK death metal newcomers The Obscene have recently posted the artwork for the band's upcoming debut called 'Architects of Deliverance.' The album should be completed in June 2012 with a release date later in the year. In 2011, the band issued an EP entitled "The Torment Of Sinners" through Pest Records.


















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Etta James Album Sales Leap 378% Following Death

Anne Erickson

Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it slips away. That seems to be the case with the late Etta James’ soulful songs. As reported by Billboard, James scored her highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200 chart this past week with The Best of Etta James – 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection, which rose from #162 to #46 with 8,000 copies sold, as reported by Nielsen SoundScan. That’s up 149% over the preceding week.

Read the rest at Gibson

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Blues Traveler Celebrates 25-Year Milestone With a 2-CD Retrospective Featuring All Their Hits Plus New Recording and Unreleased Rarities

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the course of their illustrious 25-year career, Blues Traveler have sold more than 10 million combined units worldwide, played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in "Run-Around," had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1's Behind the Music and they hold the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman.

On March 6, 2012, Hip-O Select/Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases Blues Traveler: 25, a 2-CD retrospective that spans the first 25 years of the band's incredible recording career. 25 features a total of 29 tracks including a newly recorded cover version of Sublime's "What I Got," their greatest hits, B-sides, unreleased demos and rarities— among them a remix of "Run-Around" by acclaimed electronic producers Gunslinger, and excerpts from the band's online concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm.

Remarks vocalist John Popper, "In a quarter century, through every possible kind of high and low, through every dream realized, through every hope dashed, always there was a return to that dedication and belief in the music and in each other. On behalf of all of Blues Traveler, I am privileged to express how honored we are, how deeply proud we are to share with you the first of our quarter-century celebration and appropriate look back at some favorites you may find familiar as well as rarities that for some reason or another have yet to see the light of day. In our hearts we view this as a time to step back to look at what we've done. We hope you will share that experience with us with as much satisfaction as we have had in bringing it to you."

Originally from the suburbs of New Jersey, Blues Traveler moved to New York in the late '80s where they became an integral part of a new wave of artists coming up in the jam-band scene, packing clubs like Nightingale's, Wetlands and Mondo Cane. The band's live reputation landed them a deal with A&M Records and over the years they released a string hit albums including their 1990 self-titled debut; 1991's Travelers & Thieves; 1993's Save His Soul; the platinum selling Straight on till The Morning; and their massive, 1994 multi-platinum breakthrough release Four.

Disc one of Blues Traveler: 25 features the band's biggest hits and staple tracks representing all nine of their studio albums. Included are their No. 1 hit single "Run-Around," and their top 20 hit "Hook." Both songs were taken from 1994's Four which climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and has now sold over six times platinum. Other tracks featured are the No. 4 hit single "Carolina Blues" from 1997's Straight on till Morning, which reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200; the band's first top 20 hit "But Anyway" plus "Gina" and "100 Years" taken from their 1990 self-titled debut; "Amber Awaits" and "After What" from their top 50 album Bastardos!, an album produced by former Wilco member Jay Bennett; the hard-rocking, Led Zeppelin-esque track "How You Remember It" and "You, Me And Everything" from their most recent 2008 release, North Hollywood Shootout; plus a new 2011 recording of Sublime's "What I Got" which is only available on this two-CD set.

Disc Two of 25 is a collection of rarities including B-sides, unreleased demos and studio tracks. Featured are early demo versions of "But Anyway" and "Trust In Trust" recorded in 1988; the quirky "The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack" which was recorded in 1993 but never made it to an album; the unreleased studio track "Demon" which was written in 2000 during a songwriting session in Austin; plus the tracks "12 Swords," "The Sun and the Storm" and the 20-minute odyssey "Traveler Suite," all taken from their 2000 concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm, which was originally only made available as a download through the band's website.

As Blues Traveler prepares for the next 25 years, they are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their tenth studio album. They are about to embark on a nationwide tour celebrating 25 years of making music, and Blues Traveler: 25 offers a glimpse into the evolution of one of the most beloved artists to come out of the jam-band scene.

Disc 1-Greatest Hits
1. Run-Around
2. Hook
3. The Mountains Win Again
4. But Anyway
5. You, Me and Everything
6. Amber Awaits
7. After What
8. Back In The Day
9. Girl Inside My Head
10. Carolina Blues
11. Let Her and Let Go
12. Gina
13. 100 Years
14. What's For Breakfast
15. NY Prophesie
16. Unable To Get Free
17. How You Remember It
18. What I Got (bonus track)


Disc 2-B-sides/Unreleased
1. The Demon
2. The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack
3. Blue Hour
4.Trust In Trust
5. Didn't Mean To Wake Up
6. But Anyway'88
7. Random Amounts
8. Twelve Swords
9. The Sun and The Storm
10.Traveler's Suite
11. Run Around (Gunslinger Remix) (bonus track)

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

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Slaughterhouse to Release New Album, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, May 15 and Announces North American Tour

Group to Hold Live Chat January 26 on Slaughterhouseweb.com

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Slaughterhouse announced today the details of the group's new tour as well as confirmed that the title of their forthcoming Shady Records/Interscope album debut will be welcome to: OUR HOUSE. Executive produced by Eminem, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, to be released May 15, 2012, will be the second album from the creative collaboration of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". New music will be made available next week for fans to get their first taste of what promises to be one of the most anticipated and explosive albums of the year.

The group will also conduct a live video chat, moderated by Elliot Wilson from Rap Radar (http://www.rapradar.com), on Thursday, January 26th at 6:00pm PST (9:00pm EST) on www.slaughterhouseweb.com where fans will be able to submit questions in real time.

Brash and outspoken, bringing together the East Coast, West Coast and Detroit in the middle, Slaughterhouse issued a self-titled EP last year and was featured on "Loud Noises" on the gold-certified, #1-charting Billboard album Hell: The Sequel from Bad Meets Evil, the collaboration between Royce and Eminem. During the past year, the quartet has also been featured with Ludacris, Yelawolf, Travis Barker and T.I., among others.

Slaughterhouse was previously heard on "Session One," a bonus track on Eminem's 2010 blockbuster Recovery album, following their debut, indie-issued album in 2009. Widely acclaimed as individual artists, the group formed in late 2008 after Crooked I from Long Beach, CA, Joell Ortiz from Brooklyn, NY and Royce da 5'9" from Detroit appeared on "Slaughterhouse" on the Halfway House album from Harlem-born, New Jersey-raised Joe Budden. They then named the collective after the song.

Tour Dates:
March 8, 2012—Trees/Southside Dallas, TX
March 9, 2012—Warehouse/House of Blues Houston, TX
March 10, 2012—Beauty Ballroom Austin, TX
March 11, 2012 - White Rabbit San Antonio, TX
March 16, 2012—House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
March 17, 2012—Beachem Theater Orlando, FL
March 18, 2012—Revolution Miami, FL
March 22, 2012—Masquerade Atlanta, GA
March 23, 2012—The Cannery Nashville, TN
March 24, 2012—The Fillmore Charlotte, NC
March 25, 2012—SoundStage Baltimore, MD
March 26, 2012—Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA
March 27, 2012—Trocadero Theatre Philadelphia, PA
March 28, 2012—9:30 Club Washington D.C.
March 29, 2012—Best Buy Theater New York, NY
March 31, 2012—Lava Lounge (West KY Univ) Bowling Green, KY

Get more tour dates at HERE


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this from our friends at becausesoundmatters.com

Artist: Eric Clapton

Album Label: REP/Reprise

Vinyl Release Date: Nov 21 2011

5-LP 180 gram black vinyl

This three album five disc box set has been carefully recut for vinyl at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Chris Bellman and pressed on the finest grade European vinyl for the highest quality analogue sound imaginable.

Box Set Includes:

-From The Cradle, Riding With The King and Me and Mr. Johnson pressed on 180 gram vinyl
-A unique 12"x12" lithographed tucked inside box
-Each box is beautifully packaged in a high quality paper wrapped design

Order HERE



Artist: Nirvana

Album Label: Original Recordings Group

Vinyl Release Date: Feb 22 2011

1- Clear Limited Edition LP



Re-issued on vinyl for the first time in over a decade

Recompiled and remastered from the original analog master tape and recording sources- by Bernie Grundmand at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, Hollywood. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Pallas in Germany and faithful recreation of jacket and lyric sheet




Track Listing:
Side A
1 Dive
2 Sliver (Single Version)
3 Stain
4 Been A Son (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
5 Turnaround (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
6 Molly's Lips (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
7 Son Of A Gun (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
8 (New Wave) Polly (BBC Mark Goodier Session)

Side B
1 Beeswax
2 Downer
3 Mexican Seafood
4 Hairspray Queen
5 Aero Zeppelin
6 Big Long Now
7 Aneurysm

Order HERE

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Sundazed February 2012 New Releases

The Ventures on Sundazed: Limited Edition 180 Gram Colored Vinyl and Compact Disc!!

Pre-Order Them Now Here

If ever there was a "band that launched a thousand bands," it would be the Ventures. Founded in Tacoma, Washington in 1958, their guitar-based instrumental sound would prove hugely influential, inspiring countless followers to pick up a guitar, bass or set of drumsticks and try to emulate their heroes. As these musical neophytes would soon learn, it wasn't as easy as it initially appeared. The Ventures were masters of tone and technique, deftly arranging their instruments in a seamless approach that was instantly recognizable. Because they were an instrumental group, their songs needed no translation, which resulted in a huge worldwide following. While many rock bands have claimed to be "big in Japan" over the years, the Ventures were the country's first rock superstars and they maintain a devoted worldwide following to this day. With over 100 million records sold, they are the best selling instrumental group of all time.

Sundazed is proud to rightfully address the magnificent Ventures’ catalog—each title has been sourced from the original Dolton and Liberty Records’ reels and painstakingly mastered to sound and feel like they were originally intended. Along with precise artwork restoration on each title, these new Sundazed editions stand as the definitive re-releases of these monumentally important albums. Long may they rock!

Artist: The Ventures
Title: Telstar • The Lonely Bull

LP 5386 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!

TRACK LIST:
1. Telstar
2. The Lonely Bull
3. Mexico
4. Calcutta
5. Apache
6. Never On Sunday
7. Tequila
8. Green Onions
9. Percolator
10. Red River Rock
11. Let There Be Drums
12. Last Night



Artist: The Ventures
Title: Surfing

LP 5387 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!

TRACK LIST:
1. Pipeline
2. Diamonds
3. Windy And Warm
4. Ten Over
5. Surf Rider
6. Changing Tide
7. The Ninth Wave
8. Party In Laguna
9. Barefoot Venture
10. The Heavies
11. Cruncher
12. The Lonely Sea



Artist: The Ventures
Title: Ventures in Space

LP 5388 LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!

TRACK LIST:
1. Out Of Limits
2. He Never Came Back
3. Moon Child
4. Fear (Main Title From "One Step Beyond")
5. Exploration In Terror
6. War of the Satellites
7. The Bat
8. Penetration
9. Love Goddess of Venus
10. Solar Race
11. The Fourth Dimension
12. The Twilight Zone


Artist: The Ventures
Title: The Fabulous Ventures

LP 5389 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!

TRACK LIST:
1. Needles And Pins
2. Runnin' Wild
3. Eleventh Hour
4. The Cruel Sea
5. Scratchin'
6. Tall Cool One
7. Only The Young
8. Journey To The Stars
9. Fugitive
10. Ravin' Blue
11. Walkin' With Pluto
12. The Pink Panther Theme



Artist: The Ventures
Title: Walk, Don't Run Vol. 2

LP 5390 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!

TRACK LIST:
1. The House Of The Rising Sun
2. Diamond Head
3. Night Train '64
4. Peach Fuzz
5. Rap City
6. Blue Star (The Medic Theme)
7. Walk, Don’t Run '64
8. Night Walk
9. One Mint Julep
10. Pedal Pusher
11. The Creeper
12. Stranger On The Shore

Pre-Order Them Now Here

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and in music history for january 27th:

Born on this day in 1918, Elmore James, US blues guitarist, singer, known as the King of the Slide Guitar. James wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', which was covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Influenced Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Keith Richards. James died 24th May 1963.

In 1927, having secured contracts with 16 radio stations, United Independent Broadcasters Inc. started a radio network. The company later became the Columbia Broadcasting System, or CBS.

In 1948, Wire Recording Corporation of America announced its development of the first magnetic tape recorder. Called the Wireway machine, it came with a built-in oscillator and a price tag of $149.50.

CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:


In 1956, Elvis Presley's single, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released by RCA RecordsThey had just purchased Presley's contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis' first Gold record.   It was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton.

The lyrics were based on a newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man who jumped from a hotel window. Axton subsequently presented the song to Presley in November 1955 at a country music convention in Nashville. Presley agreed to record it, and did so on January 10, 1956 in a session that featured his band, The Blue Moon Boys, as well as guitarist Chet Atkins and pianist Floyd Cramer. "Heartbreak Hotel" is composed of an eight-bar blues progression, and features major echo during the entire track, in an attempt to follow the characteristic of Presley's Sun recordings.

The single topped Billboard's Top 100 chart for seven weeks, was number one on the Country and Western chart and reached number five on the R&B chart, becoming Presley's first million-seller, and the best-selling single of 1956. It would eventually be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Presley had first performed "Heartbreak Hotel" during a live show in December 1955 during a tour of the Louisiana Hayride, but the song gained strong popularity after his appearance on Stage Show in March 1956. It became a staple of Presley's repertoire in live appearances, last performed by him on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1995 "Heartbreak Hotel" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". That year it was also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". A rock and roll standard, since its original release "Heartbreak Hotel" has been covered by several rock and pop acts, including Willie Nelson and Leon Russell, who recorded a duet version that topped the Country charts in 1979.

Presley would perform the song during most of his live shows between 1956 and 1977, performing it for the last time on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The song has been released on almost every Presley compilation album since 1956, and alternative takes have also surfaced on several compilation albums. "Heartbreak Hotel" was awarded by the Broadcast Music Incorporated in its Country music Awards. It was re-released in 1971 for the UK market where it charted at number ten. In 1979, following Presley's death, author Robert Matthew-Walker wrote "...Heartbreak Hotel became one of the legendary rock performances. For many people it is Elvis Presley, and it continues to excite and fascinate listeners. Heartbreak Hotel is a classic performance, yet when it is analyzed it appears so simple that one cannot recall a time when one did not know it." In 1995, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame,and was re-released in 1996 to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of its recording.

In a 1975 interview, John Lennon recalled his friend Don Beatty introducing him to Presley's music. Lennon said that his family rarely had the radio on, unlike other members of The Beatles who grew up under its influence. Beatty showed Lennon a picture of Presley that appeared along with the charts on the New Musical Express, and Lennon later heard "Heartbreak Hotel" on Radio Luxembourg. Lennon has said:

"When I first heard "Heartbreak Hotel", I could hardly make out what was being said. It was just the experience of hearing it and having my hair stand on end. We'd never heard American voices singing like that. They always sung like Sinatra or enunciate very well. Suddenly, there's this hillbilly hiccuping on tape echo and all this bluesy stuff going on. And we didn't know what Elvis was singing about... It took us a long time to work what was going on. To us, it just sounded as a noise that was great."

George Harrison credits Heartbreak Hotel with handing him a "rock n roll epiphany" when in 1956, at age 13, he overheard it being played at a neighbor's house while riding his bike. Thus, it was Heartbreak Hotel that turned Harrison from a relatively well-mannered schoolboy into a guitar-crazed truant who would audition for John Lennon's Quarrymen the following year.

The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards stated in his 2010 autobiography, Life, that Heartbreak Hotel was one of the first rock and roll influences he had. Apart from Presley's impact on him, Richards was even more impressed by Scotty Moore's guitar playing, as well as the rest of the band:

"Good records just get better with age. But the one that really turned me on, like an explosion one night, listening to Radio Luxembourg on my little radio when I was supposed to be in bed and asleep, was "Heartbreak Hotel." That was the stunner. I’d never heard it before, or anything like it. I’d never heard of Elvis before. It was almost as if I’d been waiting for it to happen. When I woke up the next day I was a different guy."



In 1958, Little Richard left Rock and Roll and enrolled in bible school at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard explained that while flying over the Philippines on tour, the wing of his plane caught fire and his prayers that the flames go out were answered, so he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God. Some of the members of his touring band found work with James Brown's Famous Flames. During his four years in school, Richard still had hit records with previously recorded material like "Good Golly Miss Molly". By the time he returned to music in 1962, the British Invasion had started and the best Richard could do was a minor UK hit, "He Got What He Wanted". In 1965, Jimi Hendrix backed him on "I Don't Know What You've Got, But It's Got Me", but the song barely cracked the US Hot 100, topping out at number 92.

In 1961, "Sing Along with Mitch," hosted by Mitch Miller, began a three-year stay on NBC-TV.

In 1961, Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.

In 1962, Joey and the Starlighters started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Peppermint Twist, part 1." The single reached #33 on the UK chart.

In 1962, the Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid the Beatles' fee (£15 pounds) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, and made sure that the Beatles never played for that promoter (Brian Kelly) again.

In 1962, Elvis Presley received his 29th Gold record for "Can't Help falling in Love," just weeks after getting one for the soundtrack to his seventh movie, Blue Hawaii.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones appeared as judges on the British TV show "Juke Box Jury." Their rude behavior on the set causes a furor in the British press.

In 1967, General Motors begins offering an eight-track tape player as an option in their Buick line. They had been available from Ford since September, 1965. Although they were very popular for awhile, the tapes would be phased out of US retail stores by late 1982.

In 1968, the Bee Gees played their first American concert at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. After collecting their $50,000 fee, they headed immediately back to England. Vanilla Fudge and Spanky And Our Gang were also on the bill.

In 1969, four days after doing ten takes of "Get Back" at Apple Studios in London, the Beatles were back there to record it 14 more times. Take 11 from this day's work was spliced together with the best coda ending recorded the following day to become the version that was released.

In 1971, David Bowie arrived for his first visit to the U.S. He did not perform, but received a lot of publicity for wearing dresses in Texas and Louisiana.

In 1972, American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson died in Chicago of heart failure and diabetes complications aged 60. Known as the "Queen of Gospel Music" she recorded over 30 albums

In 1973, Stevie Wonder scored his second US number one with his twenty-third Top 40 hit, "Superstition."



In 1977, the Clash signed with CBS Records in Britain.

In 1984, Madonna made her first appearance in the U.K. when she appeared on C4 TV music program The Tube, performing “Holiday.” The show was broadcast live from the Hacienda Club in Manchester.

In 1993, Warner Brothers Records announces that it is releasing rapper Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) from his contract due to "creative differences." The previous summer the record company found itself in the middle of controversy over Ice-T's song, "Cop Killer". Marrow would go on to co-star in the police drama, Law and Order in 1999.

In 1998, James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later claimed that the drugs were used to help his eyesight.

In 2002, Brian Wilson played the first of four sold-out nights at The Royal Festival Hall, London.

In 2005, R.E.M. cancel their first show in ten years when their equipment was held at the Estonia/Russia border.

In 2006, Gene McFadden, R&B vocalist and songwriter, best known as half of the Philly soul team McFadden & Whitehead, died of cancer at the age of 56. The duo reached number 13 on the Billboard chart in 1979 with "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now."

birthdays today include (among others): Bobby “Blue” Bland (82), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) (68), Nedra Talley (Ronettes) (66), Seth Justman (J. Geils Band) (61), Richard Young (Kentucky Headhunters) (57), Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) (51) and  Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy) (61)