Chicago vinyl record stores survive digital music era

Written by Katie Schweiker, Jeremy Mikula and Leah Hendrickson

Dave's Records photo by Katie Schweiker


Audio Slideshow:Chicago On The Record – A visit to three Chicago Record Stores

In a world of iPods, Zunes, .mp3s, .wavs, .flacs, .aifs, .rms, .snds and other digital audio formats, 33 1/3 revolutions per minute still counts to some.

Despite Apple’s announcement that the 10 billionth song was downloaded from iTunes in February, many Chicagoans still listen to vinyl Long Play (LP) records from both new and old artists.

“.mp3s were really cool, and they still are,” said Dave Hofer, a new products buyer at Reckless Records’ Wicker Park location. “You could fit so many of them into a little thing, you know. You don’t have to carry a book of CDs in your car anymore, for example. But there’s just something about vinyl that draws people in.”

Reckless is a music store with three Chicago locations that sells new and used vinyl – LPs, 45s, and 78s – and used DVDs and CDs. In spite of the era of readily available digital media and an economic downturn, they still do a pretty good business, Hofer said.

“We have people who come in and only look for used DVDs and CDs,” Hofer said. “However, if we didn’t have vinyl, we’d go out of business. People come in with their old records because they grow out of stuff and are amazed that people are interested in [their old records]. I have people who come up and ask when we put out new stuff and I always say, ‘All day, every day, dude.’”

“No CD’s. Never had ‘em. Never will.” This sign hangs on the door to Dave’s Records in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. For owner Dave Crain, there is no other alternative to the sound of vinyl records. Dave’s, “will always be a store where vinyl is king,” Crain said.

Dave's Records photo by Katie Schweiker

Dave’s Records is one of the few strictly vinyl shops in Chicago with 40,000 titles to choose from. When you walk in you are greeted with the sweet, musty aroma of vinyl. The floor tiles beckon you further into the store with their checkered pattern. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with vinyl. Each record in its spot is watched over by Crain as he sits at a raised counter.

These include new albums by new artists, used albums, imports, reissues and even albums that are out of print and difficult to find. Hand Crain a record and he will throw it on the store’s turntable for a spin to help shopper’s make an educated decision. Dave’s makes sure that if you can’t find what you are looking for in their store, they will send you to another local record store.

Crain said Dave’s is for “people who love records. They are part of the ever evolving and ever revolving world of record shoppers.”

Dusty Groove America is a hub for certain niche music lovers: jazz, soul and funk are what the store specializes in. Customers appreciate the specific target audience compared to other music providers.

Dusty Groove America photo by Leah Hendrickson


“Best Buy is trying to cater to a broad audience,” said Phil Garrison of Chicago while he thumbed through a stack of records. “It’s going to be hard to find obscure items. That’s the main reason why I come to places like this.”

According to Nielsen SoundScan more than 2 million vinyl albums were sold in 2009. That is an increase of 35 percent from 2008.

While record sales are on the rise, CD sales continue to fall. Even though CDs cost nearly half as much as their vinyl counterpart, their sales have dropped 20 percent this year, according to Nielsen. However, vinyl record sales only account for about 1 percent of all album sales.




vinyl at Reckless photo by Jeremy Mikula


Statistics show that digital music formats aren’t going away, either.

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the digital music industry grew internationally by about 25 percent in 2008, making $3.7 billion. Digital platforms now account for nearly 20 percent of all music sales, a five percent growth from 2007, IFPI said.

One reason for these figures is the ease and portability of things like the iPod, whose numerous models can store anywhere from 500 to 40,000 songs.

“iPods were a crazy new inventions when they came out, but I think the novelty of them is starting to wear off,” Hofer said. “.mp3s and digital music, even CDs, are functional but that’s about it. They’re like decorative buttons on a sport coat. Whereas something like an LP comes down to being able to hold it and having a thing, like buying a book that you really like instead of just reading it on the Kindle. If I were to sum it up in one word, I’d say ‘physicality’ plays a big part in it.”

But while the idea of having physical media is important to some, comparing things like audio quality and physicality is like comparing apples and oranges.

Reckless Records Wicker Park photo by Jeremy Mikula

“Are [records] better? I don’t know,” said Stephen Sowley as he shopped in Reckless’ Wicker Park location. “For me they’re better, but for others .mp3s are better. ‘Better’ is a relevant term, you know? You can’t take a record player with you when you go jogging.”













A special thank you to the authors (Katie Schweiker, Jeremy Mikula, Leah Hendrickson) for the exclusive rights to reprint their material.

SOURCE: http://kschweiker.wordpress.com

Back from the dead: vinyl makes a comeback

Written by Tampa Rock Music Examiner Heather Clark
 

It has been said by many that trends come as quickly as they go. That what was once considered a popular gotta have it item eventually becomes labeled as "uncool" and goes out of style never to be seen again. Or so we thought. Because all it takes is for a few decades or so to pass and then this trend that had supposedly gone out of style ages ago suddenly re-emerges again. Just as popular if not more popular than ever before. This couldn't be more true when it comes to vinyl records.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl began making a national comeback in 2007 when the American music industry saw a 46.2 percent revenue increase for vinyl sales. During this same period CD sales dropped by 20.5 percent. Though vinyl sales account for less than 1 percent of total album sales, Rollingstone.com reports that the numbers of records sold in 2008 jumped to 1.88 million from 988,000 in 2007.

So why now after once being considered as dead as the eight-track tape are vinyls making such a startling comeback? Collectors say it's because vinyl records put the experience back into music. It makes an industry that has almost been completely drained of its artists with originality and passion for their music seem genuine once more.

One of the most recognized difference between CD's and vinyl records is the quality of sound. CD's are thinner and flatter, it is simply a compressed format that spins quickly while a laser reads it. But with a vinyl it is larger, spins slower, and there is an actual needle playing over the groove. Enthusiasts argue that listening to a record is hearing the music the way it is supposed to sound.

It also seems that record stores are becoming more prominent once again and easier to find in almost any city. Right here in our own backyard lies Bananas Record Warehouse, the worlds largest record store that has been open since 1977. Collectively Bananas has over 14,000 sq. feet of space shared between two warehouses that are across the street from one another. Their two story warehouse is where nearly three million vinyl LP's are stored and sold to the public. Across the street in their smaller single story warehouse they cell CD's, movies, vinyl singles, and hundreds of vinyl LP's for as little as $1 a piece.

So how is it that in our present day and modern age something as simple as a vinyl record, not so long ago considered an extinct medium of commercial music, could become so popular once more? Maybe it's because although music has gone digital all we really want deep down is something that feels tangible, human. Or maybe this whole vinyl thing is just a trend that will have its day and then once again be gone "forever". Or maybe, just maybe, it's because in these pressing societal times people are nostalgic for the good ole' days and are once again using the music on the vinyls as an escape. If only for a little while. I personally hope the later of these maybes is true.

A special thanks to Heather Clark at http://rss.examiner.com for the exclusive rights to reprint this story.

Music News & Notes

Doors' Guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER to Release New Solo Album

Robby Krieger returns with a new instrumental solo album, 'Singularity', on Oglio Records, a Fontana/Universal distributed label. On 'Singularity', Robby continues to explore his unique flamenco infused jazz-rock sound as heard on his previous album for Oglio Records, 'Cinematix'. 'Singularity' was produced by Robby Krieger and Arthur Barrow, features an original Krieger painting as the cover art and will also be available on vinyl.

During his time as The Doors guitarist, Robby wrote some of the band’s best known songs including “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Love Her Madly” and “Touch Me”. He was also voted in at #91 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time and in 2009, Robby partnered with the Gibson Guitar Corporation to release his very own limited edition signature guitar, the ‘Inspired By Krieger SG’.

Robby Krieger rejoins his fellow The Doors member, Ray Manzarek, who also released his own solo record, “Love Her Madly” on Oglio Records, in their group Manzarek-Krieger for a new tour beginning May 27th.

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STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Release First New Album in Close To A Decade

Atlantic recording group Stone Temple Pilots has announced details of their upcoming North American headline tour. The hugely anticipated dates will begin Tuesday, August 10th at Denver, Colorado’s world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre and then continue through early September. Joining Stone Temple Pilots on all dates will be special guests Cage the Elephant.

'Stone Temple Pilots' – the Grammy Award-winning band’s first all-new collection in close to a decade – is currently the #1 rock album in the country

Stone Temple Pilots – who will spend the early part of their summer on the other side of the Atlantic, hitting Europe for a series of long awaited headline shows and festival performances – heralded the release of the acclaimed 'Stone Temple Pilots' with a rare club appearance at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, followed by headline performances at a number of early summer radio festivals.

Among the album’s many highlights is the raucous first single, “Between The Lines.” The track has proven a rock radio sensation, recently spending four weeks as the #1 track at Mainstream Rock radio outlets nationwide, as well as three weeks atop the Modern Rock airplay charts. In addition, the “Between The Lines” companion video can be seen regularly on MTV2 and Fuse’s No. 1 Countdown. The clip – as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage – is streaming now at www.stonetemplepilots.com. Furthermore, a new single, ”Take a Load Off” is set to impact at multi-format rock radio outlets everywhere later this month. A companion video is currently in production.

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Iron and Wine, Dan Deacon Contribute to Suicide Squeeze Singles Series

Singles series go hand in hand and with independent music and artists and is a proud indie tradition. The Seattle record label Suicide Squeeze is no stranger to this tradition, having released groups of 7"s since the mid-90s. In 1996, Suicide Squeeze began releasing 7-inch records as lifesblood, singles, mostly from Pacific NW bands appeared, documenting some of the most influential music of that time: Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, 764-Hero, and Pedro the Lion: each played an important role. The label broadened its reach over the years (as well as its series of singles), continually releasing music by a diverse, yet select group of musicians, including The Melvins, Of Montreal, HEALTH, Black Mountain, School of Seven Bells, and many more...

Now add Iron & Wine, Memoryhouse and JEFF The Brotherhood to that list of names... Along with The Coathangers, and their EP of remixes (by Dan Deacon and Judi Chicago), each artist's 7-inch will be released in a limited addition of 500 black vinyl discs and 250 color. The Coathangers and JEFF the Brotherhood will release the first entries in the series on July 20. The Coathangers' single features remixes from Dan Deacon and Judi Chicago.

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Dr. Demento Ends Radio Show After Forty Years

It's the end of the line for Dr. Demento, at least it is for his radio listeners. After forty years and with a dwindling supply of stations purchasing the show, the good Doctor and Talonian Productions, who distributes the program, have decided to stop offering it to radio effective with the show for the weekend of June 5.

The following is the official announcement that was posted on the Doctor's website last Sunday:


June 6, 2010
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT...

This weekend, the Dr. Demento Show will have its final broadcast on KIYU, KLOO, WLVQ (QFM96), WRKH (The Rocket) and KOZT (The Coast).


This was a very painful decision for the Doctor...he really hates to let it go after almost 40 years...but he has come to agree with his manager and his family that it's necessary. The broadcast has been losing money for some time.


THE GOOD NEWS -- Dr. Demento intends to continue producing new shows every week for www.drdemento.com for the foreseeable future. A new one will be available Saturday morning, June 12, and more new shows will be posted every Saturday thereafter.


Also...if you live in or around Amarillo, TX, you're in luck...by special agreement and due to contractual considerations, a version of the internet show will be heard weekly on KACV-FM there, at least through the summer.


The Doctor wishes to express his grateful appreciation to everyone who's been listening in Alaska, Oregon, Ohio, Alabama and California, and hopes all of you will give the www.drdemento.com broadcast a try.


Stay deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemented!



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Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax To Play 'Historic' Gig
Live in select movie theatres...

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are set to play a “historic” gig via satellite. The concert, on June 22, will be broadcast live from into select movie theatres from the Sonisphere festival in Bulgaria.

It is the first time all four metal bands have performed together on the same bill.

Cinemas in London, Manchester and many other major UK cities and towns are due to broadcast the gig in HD.

A New Day for Jethro Tull

Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson discusses post-9/11 travel, new music and the death of album art prior to Atlantic City gig at Caesars June 12.

By Jeff Schwachter

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Ian Anderson

Speaking with Jethro Tull’s frontman Ian Anderson, it’s certain that his longtime band isn’t “Living in the Past.” Since Anderson founded the folk-blues-rock-classical and global-minded band in 1967 Britain, with a string of successful albums and tours following its 1968 debut This Was, Jethro Tull — as well as Anderson and his solo projects — has continued to tour and even from time to time release outstanding material, including the 1988 Grammy winning Crest of a Knave and 2003’s heralded Christmas Album (2003). You can’t listen to a classic-rock radio station for very long without hearing at least one Tull song. And on Saturday night (June 12) at Caesars in Atlantic City you’ll be able to hear such radio staples as “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath” and “Skating Away” — plus many more. Anderson spoke by phone recently with AC Weekly.

When I was growing up in the ’80s, I used to go to used record stores and pick up all the Jethro Tull albums. One of the things that I always loved about your albums, aside from the music, was the amazing album art. Do you think it kind of stinks that today most music doesn’t have any visual component with it? I mean, today most music is just a vapor; it’s just downloaded.

Well, that’s right. It’s different. … Vinyl gave us something to work with. Clearly the space was there and you’d utilize it and you got involved and excited about doing it. It was a way of bringing together visual arts with the musical ones — [a sort of] natural thing to do. But these days, well, one mp3 file looks much like another.

Can you name any other bands that spent as much time thinking about their album art as Jethro Tull?

Well, I think many did, and there were those album-artwork artists. I forget the names, the guy who did … oh, Roger Dean, he did a lot album [covers], but is probably best known for his album artwork for the albums of Yes. They used Roger Dean’s work and Roger Dean did a kind of slightly sci-fi, slightly hippie thing that lent itself well to posters and reproductions and he was the “Yes” man. And then there were other guys like Storm Thorgerson who worked on albums by Pink Floyd and later became a video director and directed one of our videos at one point. So, yeah, there were these guys who were known as the wiz kids coming up with innovative album artwork, but in the case of the Jethro Tull stuff, it was a little bit more in house. It tended to be. I suppose most of them were my work, but notable exceptions were the Stand Up album, the Aqualung album and the Benefit album. Those were the three that our manager Terry Ellis kind of put together in conjunction with different artists. But then when we got to Thick As a Brick and onwards it tended to be [me]. … You know the work is one of the benefits of doing artwork; the irony is, of course, you’re working in an age where many people are no longer really buying physical product; they [aren’t seeing it]. People that are listening to Jethro Tull music for the first time now are almost certainly going to be downloading it rather than buying physical product, which is harder and harder to find and there are fewer and fewer record stores.

Yeah, around the world.

Yes, I mean all the great record chains have pretty much gone. In fact, most countries have probably only one operation left. Over here it’s HMV and in Germany for example it’s Saturn and in the U.S.A., Tower Records and Virgin Records – all these places, they’ve all disappeared. I guess, you know, you find a few things on the checkout of your supermarket, [but] that’s pretty much it. ........

Read the rest of this fantastic interview:  http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 7, 2010


DEAR JERRY: A few years ago, you wrote about hit makers of the 1940s, or earlier, who at that time were still living.

My question is similar, but specifically about the Pop & Rock stars of the '50s. Of that decade's top artists, how many are still standing, and what are their ages?
—Marianne J. Duffy, Evansville, Ind.

DEAR MARIANNE: They may not all be standing, but each and every one in this group clearly has a pulse.

Compiled per your request is a list that does not likely exist elsewhere, of the still-living stars whose careers either began or flourished in the '50s. There may be others. Some of these folks are also among the top acts of the '60s, and a couple of them gained fame in the '50s as a lead singer of a group, then established themselves as a solo performer.

All are listed according to their age on June 1, 2010, and those the same age are in day of birth order. For example, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Mathis are both 74, but Lewis is one day older than Mathis.

From Tony Martin, soon to be a centurion, to youngster Brenda Lee, who just qualified for Medicare, here they are:

Tony Martin (97)
Jimmy McCracklin (88)
Johnny Otis (88)
Kitty Kallen (88)
Kay Starr (87)
Doris Day (86)
Roger Williams (85)
B.B. King (84)
Stan Freberg (83)
Tony Bennett (83)
Chuck Berry (83)
Ed Ames (82)
Patti Page (82)
Andy Williams (82)
Fats Domino (82)
Vic Damone (81)
Eddie Fisher (81)
Bobby Bland (80)
Joni James (79)
Little Richard (77)
Lloyd Price (77)
Jimmie Rodgers (76)
Pat Boone (76)
Steve Lawrence (74)
Jerry Lee Lewis (74)
Johnny Mathis (74)
Jack Scott (74)
Frankie Valli (73)
Etta James (72)
Duane Eddy (72)
Ben E. King (71)
Connie Francis (71)
Neil Sedaka (71)
Johnny Tillotson (71)
Dion DiMucci (70)
Frankie Avalon (70)
Freddy Cannon (70)
Jerry Butler (70)
Smokey Robinson (70)
Cliff Richard (69)
Paul Anka (68)
Bobby Rydell (68)
Bobby Vee (67)
Brenda Lee (65)

DEAR JERRY: Having read the complaints voiced by your readers about the lack of good sense by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you just might be willing to listen to my gripes. This time it's about another similar outfit, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which supposedly honors worthy writers from all styles of music.

My number one grievance with them is their inexplicable overlooking of Conway Twitty.

For starters, Conway wrote hundreds of hits for himself and others, including 19 of his own No. 1 hits! That anyone wrote that many chart-toppers is amazing!

Consider also the many who are already in the SHOF who, though talented, have resumes that are but a drop in the bucket compared to Conway's.

Is he the Connie Francis of songwriters? Mmmm, they both recorded for MGM.

Who else would you add to the list of deserving but denied composers by the Songwriters Hall of Fame?
—Ernest Camfield, Louisville, Ky.


DEAR ERNEST: I can add a few names to the list, but none are as conspicuous by their absence as Conway Twitty. Forget for the moment his mind-boggling success in all other respects, the man is an industry giant based only on his writing. Absurd? Yes, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with MGM.

Three more glaring omissions: How about the incomparable Hank Thompson, and those two great Georgia-born talents: Ray Stevens and Joe South?

All three are regarded as spectacular writers and they more than qualify for SHOF induction.


IZ ZAT SO? The beginning of the singer-songwriter era is generally thought to be the early '60s, and understandably so.

However, the first Rock Era singer to reach No. 1 with his own composition came along much earlier: Buddy Knox with “Party Doll,” in March 1957.

Six months later, Paul Anka followed suit with his homage to “Diana,” and Buddy Holly with “That'll Be the Day.”

As evidenced by two Buddys and a Paul, the singer-songwriter concept is indeed a bit older than is widely regarded.

Seven years before “Party Doll,” the C&W and R&B fields had their own singer-songwriting stars. Among those are Hank Williams and Fats Domino, both renowned for writing their own tunes.


Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.
Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368


E-mail: jpo@olympus.net

Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com 

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

RAINBOW Albums To Be Reissued On Vinyl

Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, has announced that 2010 will see the release of the original classic RAINBOW albums on vinyl. All records will be 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and packaged in deluxe gatefold sleeves. The first 1,000 copies of each title will come in limited-edition colored vinyl.

Due out on July 12 are the following titles:

* Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
* Rising (1976)
* On Stage (1977)
* Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978)
* Down To Earth (1979)
* Difficult to Cure (1981)
* Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
* Finyl Vinyl (1986)





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Alan Parsons Releasing First New Song in Six Years

Alan Parsons has signed with Authentik Artists which will release a new single, "All Our Yesterdays," worldwide on June 15 via most digital download sites.

All Our Yesterdays is Parsons first new music since the album A Valid Path in 2004. The song was written and recorded as part of a new educational series that he is doing entitled The Art and Science of Sound Recording. Those purchasing the digital single will also receive the theme song from the series, Alpha Centauri.

In a rarity, Parsons is taking the lead vocal on the song with additional instrumentation by Simon Philips (Toto, the Who), Rami Jaffe (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) and Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson)

This Date In Music History - June 9

Birthdays:

Jon Lord - Deep Purple (1941)

Stuart Edwards - Edison Lighthouse (1946)



George Bunnell - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1949)

Trevor Bolder - Uriah Heep (1950)

Dean Felber - Hootie & The Blowfish (1967)

Dean Dinning - Toad the Wet Sprocket (1967)

Ed Simons - Chemical Brothers (1970)

Matthew Bellamy - Muse (1978)

Frankee (Nicole Francine Aiello), US R&B singer (1983)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1891, Cole Porter, singer, composer, one of America's greatest songwriters. Wrote countless classic songs, "Night And Day," "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Died Oct 15, 1964.

Born today in 1929, R&B singer Johnny Ace, Billboards 'most played artist of 1955'. He died playing Russian roulette backstage at a gig on December 25,1954.



Born on this day in 1934, Jackie Wilson, US soul singer. Suffered a heart attack on stage at a New Jersey Club in 1975 and was in a coma until he died on January 21st 1984. Scored 24 US Top 40 hits during late 50's & 60's.

Fred Waring - Musician (The Pennsylvanians), bandleader, radio-television personality (June 9, 1900 – July 29, 1984)

Born today in 1947, Mitch Mitchell, drums, Jimi Hendrix Experience. Mitchell had been in the ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' house band. Mitchell was found dead in his US hotel room on Nov 12, 2008 (age 61).

Born today in 1915, legendary guitarist Les Paul, inventor of the Gibson Les Paul guitar who also had a 1953 UK No.7 single with ‘Vaya Con Dios’ and the US No.7 single ‘Hummingbird’ with Mary Ford featuring his multi-layered recording techniques. He also pioneered “close miking” and echo delay recording. He broke his right arm in a car accident and had it set at an angle so he could still play guitar. Paul died in hospital in White Plains, New York at the age of 94 suffering from severe pneumonia on 12th Aug 2009.


History:

"Jelly-Roll Blues" was recorded by Jelly Roll Morton and his band in 1924.

In 1951, Ike Turner & The Rhythm Kings have the #1 R&B song "Rocket 88." Many consider this track to be the first Rock n’ Roll record.



In 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis (with the help of Sun Records owner Sam Phillips) takes out a full-page ad in Billboard magazine to explain his second divorce and third marriage (to his 14 year old cousin Myra). In the end, the ad doesn’t do much good and Jerry Lee remains ostracized for the next few years.

Today in 1958, the song "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.

Johnny Mathis went to #1 on the US album chart in 1958 with his 'Greatest Hits' album.

The Beatles, on the last night of their tour with Roy Orbison, performed at King George's Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire in 1962. It was during this tour that The Beatles' fans started throwing jelly babies at them while they were on stage, after an off-the-cuff remark on television that George Harrison enjoyed eating them.

Andy Williams was the mystery guest on TV's "What's My Line" in 1963.

During an evening session in 1964, Bob Dylan recorded "Mr. Tambourine Man" at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.

In 1967, the Monkees kicked off a North American summer tour at the Hollywood Bowl in California.

In 1969, Brian Jones announced he was leaving The Rolling Stones because he didn't agree with the band's musical direction. Guitarist Mick Taylor, who has played with John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, signs on as Brian Jones’ replacement.

In 1972, Elvis Presley made entertainment history by performing 4 sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. George Harrison, John Lennon David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Art Garfunkel were among music stars that attended the shows. The shows were recorded and became the album 'Elvis as recorded at Madison Square Garden'.

Bruce Springsteen signed with Columbia Records in 1972 and started to assemble the E Street Band from various Asbury Park ex-band mates.

The Bee Gees went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1979 with "Love You inside Out," the group's 9th US #1 hit.

Cyndi Lauper started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1984 with "Time After Time."



In 1989, after suggesting just three days earlier that she would help the environment by “firebombing McDonald’s restaurants,” Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) signed a document vowing to never repeat the statement again. McDonald’s had threatened legal action.

Grunge label, Sub-Pop, holds the first Lame Fest at Seattle’s Moore Theater in 1989. The headliners are Tad and Mudhoney. An opening act is a little known band called Nirvana.

In 1990, M.C. Hammer's debut album started a record breaking 21 week stay at the top of the US album charts, making it the longest uninterrupted stay at the top since the album charts started.

Wilson Phillips went to #1 on the US charts in 1990 with "Hold On." 25 years earlier to the day Wendy and Carnies father Beach Boy Brian had been at #1 with "Help Me Rhonda."

The Tina Turner biographical film, "What's Love Got To Do With It" opened in 1993.

Also in 1993 - The U.S. Postal Service debuted its Legends of American Music, Rock and Roll-Rhythm and Blues stamp collection. The set featured Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, Ritchie Valens, Dinah Washington, and Elvis Presley.

After an argument in 1994, TLC singer Left Eye set fire to her boyfriend’s (Andre Rison of the Atlanta Falcons) Atlanta mansion, worth $2 million, burning it to the ground. She was charged with arson and fined $10,000 with five years probation.

Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall were involved in a brawl at The Metropolitan Hotel, London in 1998.

Also in 1998, the Ronettes appeared in the Supreme Court of New York for their lawsuit against producer Phil Spector. The Ronettes, whose hits included "Be My Baby" and "Walking In The Rain," claimed that Spector had breached the group's 34-year-old contract by paying the members no royalties since 1963. Although The Ronettes went on to win the case, the New York State Court of Appeals overturned the decision in October, 2002, saying that the contract the Ronettes signed with Spector in 1963 was still binding.

In 2002, it was announced that Rolling Stone Mick Jagger was to be given a knighthood for his services to music.

John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival and solo) entered the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2005. Other inductees include Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper, Bill Withers and David Porter.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Highway Companions North American Tour gets underway in Charlotte, NC in 2006. The trek celebrates the band's 30th anniversary. Stevie Nicks is a supporting act on the first eight shows and also performs with Petty and the Heartbreakers.

In 2007, George Michael became the first music artist to perform at the new Wembley Stadium in London when he played the first of two shows at the venue during his ‘25 Live Tour.'

The Rock Band Unplugged video game is in stores in 2009. It features songs by 3 Doors Down, Audioslave and Alice In Chains, the Who, Boston, Police, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, Jethro Tull, and Rush.

Music News & Notes

The Acacia Strain reveal album details

The Acacia Strain have revealed the title, cover art and track listing which will be released July 20th in North American and August 2nd in Europe. The album is titled "Wormwood," and features cover art by acclaimed artist, Justin Kamerer (http://www.angryblue.com/), who has done previous work for Bleeding Through, Guns N Roses, Slayer and many more.

"We worked just as hard if not harder on this album as we did on (2008's)"Continent.' We took an entire block of time off of touring and our lives in general to focus 100% on the creation of 'Wormwood.' Where we normally write a record with a theme already attached to it; this time around we wrote a record and the theme developed as we went. we wanted to do something that was still Acacia Strain, but broke away from the 'mold' that has been struck by all the bands these days that we seem to get grouped in with. all the songs have their own dynamic, instead of writing an album filled with like sounding songs. This is the heaviest record WE have ever written and these are the most personal lyrics I have ever written. Justin Kamerer; who did the artwork for the album, was really great to work with and really brought the songs to life with his imagery. I am really excited for this release, and we are all very proud of what we did with this record. i hope you enjoy."

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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Release Mojo

On June 15 Reprise Records will release MOJO, the first new studio album from TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS in 8 years. Already the album is garnering enthusiastic reviews with Rolling Stone senior writer David Fricke calling it “one of the best ever” by Petty and the Heartbreakers.

On June 29, a special vinyl edition of MOJO will be released. The vinyl edition of MOJOis an 180 Gram 2-LP Set pressed at Pallas, Germany and mastered at Bernie Grundman Studios from the uncompressed 24-bit 48 kHz files.

On June 29, (two weeks after the standard release), in a first by a contemporary music artist, the album will be released as a stand-alone audio only Blu-ray disc which can be played in stereo or 5.1 surround sound. The Blu-ray disc contains 256 times more resolution than a CD, providing greater detail and reproducing the music’s full dynamic range, from the softest to the loudest sounds. In a 14-page cover story on the album the leading audiophile magazine Sound and Vision raved about the Blu-ray while calling the album “stunning.” The Blu-ray version will be available online exclusively from Amazon as well as at all independent retail stores.

OK, now the REAL news:

iTunes will also feature a special LP edition of MOJO.  A preorder of the ITunes LP, now available, gets a buyer the first single “I Should Have Known It” immediately upon purchase.  In addition to the standard 15-track album, the iTunes LP edition comes with exclusive music, videos and many other special features:

- “Little Girl Blues” – bonus audio track (exclusive)
- “Good Enough” – video (exclusive)
- “I Should Have Known It” – video
- MOJO road trip photos by Sam Jones
- MOJO album package art with Lyrics
- Scans of 4 hand written lyrics sheets from Tom’s own notebook.

What in the devil is an "iTunes special LP edition"??? IT"S STILL A DOWNLOAD PEOPLE - IT IS NOT A VINYL RECORD THEREFORE IT SHOULD NOT BE LABELED "LP" This could start a whole new trend as the digital freaks are stealing the LP, which stands for "Long Playing" album (we mean vinyl!) Don't call an apple an orange........

The words LP and download do not belong in the same sentence......

Comments?

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MAIDEN ANNOUNCE RELEASE DATE, ARTWORK AND TRACKLISTING FOR NEW ALBUM “THE FINAL FRONTIER”  TOUR STARTS THIS WEEK

The release date for IRON MAIDEN’S new studio album THE FINAL FRONTIER is now confirmed for Monday 16th August. The new album pictured here features artwork illustrated by Melvyn Grant and, to mark the occasion, the band have made special arrangements for one new album track 'EL DORADO' to be made available Worldwide as a FREE digital download MP3 with immediate effect.

Singer Bruce Dickinson explains ‘El Dorado is a preview of the forthcoming studio album. As we will be including it in the set of our Final Frontier World Tour (which opens in Dallas On 9th June - full dates below) we thought it would be great to thank all our fans and get them into The Final Frontier mood by giving them this song up front of the tour and album release’

The band reunited with long-time Maiden producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley in early 2010 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau to record the album and then moved to LA to finish the recording and do the mixing. Compass Point Studio is very familiar to the band, it was where they recorded the Piece Of Mind (’83), Powerslave (’84) and Somewhere In Time (’86) albums.

Bruce comments “The studio had the same vibe and it was EXACTLY as it had been in 1983, NOTHING had changed! Even down to the broken shutter in the corner...same carpet....everything... It was really quite spooky. But we felt very relaxed in such a familiar and well-trodden environment and I think this shows in the playing and the atmosphere of the album”

Thirty years on from their eponymous debut album in April 1980, The Final Frontier will be Maiden’s 15th studio album, making a remarkable average of a new album every two years for 30 years and totalling over 80 million album sales during this period.

The full tracklisting for the album (total running time 76:35) is:
THE FINAL FRONTIER

1. Satellite 15....The Final Frontier 8:40
2. El Dorado 6:49
3. Mother Of Mercy 5:20
4. Coming Home 5:52
5. The Alchemist 4:29
6. Isle Of Avalon 9:06
7. Starblind 7:48
8. The Talisman 9:03
9. The Man Who Would Be King 8:28
10. When The Wild Wind Blows 10:59

The Final Frontier World Tour begins in Dallas on June 9th with 25 shows in major cities across the USA and Canada, playing to an expected 350,000 fans or more. Following this the tour will ship over to Europe starting in Dublin on July 30 and playing a few selected major festivals and stadiums , finishing in Valencia, Spain, on Aug 21 and including a concert in Transylvania.

Hardcore and Metal Releases - June 8, 2010

Attack Attack! - s/t
Call To Preserve - Life of Defiance
Ceremony - Rohnert Park
Circle Of Dead Children - Psalm of the Grand Destroyer
Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire - Songs of Ill Hope and Desperation
Fatal Embrace - The Empires Of Humanity
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Mafia
Heaven Shall Burn - Invictus
Istapp - Blekinge
Keep Of Kalessin - Reptilian
Kingdom Of Sorrow - Behind The Blackest Tears
Leng Tch'e - Hypomanic
Masakari - The Prophet Feeds
Mychildren Mybride - Lost Boy
Nachtmystium - Addicts: Black Meddle Part 2
Nevermore The Obsidian Conspiracy
Pain - Cynic Paradise
Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come (Deluxe Version)
Silverstein - Decade: Live At The El Mocambo
The Funeral Pyre - Vultures At Dawn
The Ghost Inside - Returners
The Haunted - Roadkill: On the Road With the Haunted (CD/DVD)
This Is Hell - Weight of the World
Trash Talk - Eyes & Nines
Watain - Lawless Darkness
Whitechapel - A New Era of Corruption
Wormrot - Abuse

SOURCE: http://www.lambgoat.com

Kind Of Blue” Breathes New Life

From the vaults of jazz history, Miles Davis’ “Kind Of Blue” is slated to be reissued on vinyl in coming weeks. Remastered on colored, 180-gram vinyl, the two-disc set, latest version features two new tracks never before available on vinyl.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 08, 2010 – SoundStageDirect is proud to announce the reissue of arguably the greatest jazz record ever recorded: Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue.” Available from Music on Vinyl, this two-record, 180-gram pressing vinyl LP is presented on limited-edition blue vinyl. However, there’s one more notable trick up its proverbial sleeve: two additional tracks never before available on vinyl. Featuring an alternate take of “Flamenco Sketches” and a version of “On Dolphin Street,” originally recorded prior to the “Kind of Blue” sessions, these two bonus songs are unearthed treasures for any true jazz aficionados.

Originally released on August 17, 1959, “Kind of Blue” has collected innumerable accolades since. Featuring a veritable who’s who of jazz legends – John Coltrane on tenor saxophone; Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone; Paul Chambers on bass; Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly on piano; and Jimmy Cobb on drums – the record’s soundscapes broke new musical ground. Based on a set of modal sketches, where each player was given a particular scale that defined their improvisation and style, the album allowed not only Davis to shine, but his sidemen as well.

In the years following the legendary jazz LP’s release, its reputation as a seminal moment in music history has been firmly cemented. It is the number-one selling jazz album of all time. Artists from Duane Allman to Pink Floyd, from Chick Corea to Q-Tip have cited “Kind of Blue” as an influence on their respective music. Rolling Stone selected the record at number 12 on their “500 Greatest Albums” list. In 2002, the Library of Congress selected the album as one of 50 to be added to the National Registry of Recordings.

With this exciting reissue, you can now own a piece of the American musical legacy. Remastered and pressed on high-quality vinyl, the jazz LP sounds as fresh today as it did 51 years ago. With Davis’ inimitable trumpet leading the way, hear the music the way it was meant to be heard: on vinyl.

Visit: http://www.soundstagedirect.com/   (mention the code CVR when ordering and receive a 5% discount!)

# # #


James Watts is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. He is passionate about Vinyl Albums music and has devoted much of his professional life to helping young artists gain the exposure they need. When not writing or attending shows, Watts can often be found cheering on his beloved Phillies or cooking up one of his signature culinary creations.

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New Music Releases - June 8, 2010

AM Taxi - We Don't Stand a Chance (vinyl)
A Weather - Everyday Balloons (vinyl)
Against Me! - White Crosses (CD with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Alex Cuba - Alex Cuba
Amy Grant - Early Years: Age to Age & My Fathers Eyes
Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here
Andy Bell - Non-Stop
Angie Mattson - Skeleton Arms
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti - Before Today
BLK JKS - Zol!
Bing Crosby - Seasons (Deluxe Edition)
Bing Crosby - So Rare: Treasures From the Crosby Archive
Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - Dylan: 2010 World Cup Edition
Cadillac Sky - Letters in the Deep
Casiokids - Topp Stemning Pa Lokal Bar (2-LP vinyl)
Ceremony: Rohnert Park
Cheap Trick - Doctor (reissue with bonus track)
Cheap Trick - Found All the Parts/Busted (reissue with bonus tracks)
Cheap Trick - Standing on the Edge (reissue with bonus track)
Cheap Trick - X2: Lap of Luxury / Dream Police (2 CDs)
Christina Aguilera - Bionic (CD with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Circle Jerks - Wonderful (vinyl reissue)

Buy It Here:   Circle Jerks

Clay Walker - She Won't Be Lonely Long
Clefs of Lavender Hill - Stop! Get a Ticket
Club 8 - The People's Record (vinyl)
Cold Cave - Life Magazine Remixes EP
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Cure - Disintegration: 20th Anniversary Edition (3 CDs) (Preview)
Danko Jones - Below the Belt (vinyl)
Darkness - Death Squad
Deer Tick - The Black Dirt Sessions (vinyl)
Delta Spirit - History From Below (vinyl)
Dierks Bentley - Up On The Ridge
Dion - Wonder Where Im Bound
Elvis Presley - Elvis 30 #1 Hits: 2010 World Cup Edition
Frank Sinatra - Sinatra & Sextet: Live in Paris
Gary Wright - Connected (Preview)
George Benson - Good King Bad / Benson & Farrell
Gladys Knight & the Pips - About Love
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music - Journey to Regionals
Gloria Estefan - Mis Favoritas
Golden Smog - Down By the Old Mainstream (vinyl)
Gordon Lightfoot - Cold on the Shoulder
Gordon Lightfoot - Don Quixote
Gordon Lightfoot - Dream Street Rose
Gordon Lightfoot - Endless Wire
Gordon Lightfoot - Old Dan's Records
Gordon Lightfoot - Painter Passing Through
Gordon Lightfoot - Salute
Gordon Lightfoot - Shadows
Gordon Lightfoot - Sit Down Young Stranger
Gordon Lightfoot - Summer Side of Life
Gordon Lightfoot - Summertime Dream
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
Gordon Lightfoot - Waiting for You
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Gun - Gunsight
Hanson - Shout It Out
Here We Go Magic - Pigeons (vinyl)

Buy it Now! Here We Go Magic

Hot Hot Heat - Future Breeds (vinyl)
Iggy Pop - California Hitchhike [Live]
Jack Bruce - Live: 1980-2001
Jewel - Sweet and Wild (2-CD edition)
Journey - Greatest Hits: 2010 World Cup Edition
Judy Collins - Paradise
Kaiser Cartel - Secret Transit
Kansas - X2: Leftoverture / Point of Know Return (2 CDs)
Konono No 1 - Assume Crash Position
Kristin Hersh - Cats & Mice
Lee Brice - Love Like Crazy
Light Pollution - Apparitions
Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Hopkins/His Blues (2 CDs)
Lil Jon - Crunk Rock
Linfinity - Martian's Bloom (vinyl)
MF Grimm - You Only Live Twice: The Graphic Novel
Manowar - Thunder In The Sky
Mississippi Fred McDowell - Shake Em on Down
Monty Python - Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy)
Mouse Fire - Big Emotion
Nachtmystium Addicts - Black Meddles Pt. II
Nada Surf - If I Had a Hi-Fi (vinyl)
Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy
Olafur Arnalds - & They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness (vinyl)
Orianthi - Believe (II)
Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Say No To Love b/w Lost Saint
Patti Smith - Twelve-2010 World Cup Edition
Pinetop Perkins & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - Joined at the Hip
Plies - Goon Affiliated
Pretty Maids - Pandemonium
Queen - Singles Collection Vol. 3
Ratatat - LP4 (vinyl)
Ray Charles - Simply Ray Charles
Ray Stevens - We the People (CD/DVD)
Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come (vinyl reissue with CD & DVD)
Renee Fleming - Dark Hope
Rhymefest - El Che
Rooney - Eureka (vinyl)
Roots - How I Got Over
Salif Keita - La Difference
Samantha Crain - You (Understood)
Saving Abel - Miss America
Sex Pistols - Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (Vinyl)
Sia - We Are Born
Silverstein - Decade: Live at El Macambo (with DVD)
Sly & the Family Stone - X2: Fresh / Dance to the Music (2 CDs)
Steve Hackett - Out of the Tunnel's Mouth
Steve Winwood - Revolutions: The Very Best of Steve Winwood (1 CD)
Suckers - Wild Smile
Teenage Fanclub - Shadows

Buy It Today! Teenage Fanclub

Tender Forever - No Snare (vinyl)
Tender Trap - Do You Want a Boyfriend? (vinyl)
The Belles - Time Flies When You're Losing Your Mind
The Cringe - Play Thing
The Dig - Electric Toys
The Drums - The Drums
The Henry Clay People - Somewhere on the Golden Coast (vinyl)
Tokyo Police Club - Champ
Tradewinds - Excursions
Travie McCoy [Gym Class Heroes] - Lazarus
Tymon Dogg - Bitter Thoughts of Tymon Dogg: Collection 68-09
Uffie - Sex Dreams & Denim Jeans
Various Artists - 2010 Warped Tour Compilation
Various Artists - Afrosound of Colombia Vol. 1
Various Artists - Disco Boogie (2 CDs)
Various Artists - FELA! (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Glee: The Music - Journey to Regionals EP
Various Artists - Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla & Afro Roots in Colombia
Various Artists - Radiogram: 24 Songs That Inspired Gram Parsons
Various Artists - The Addams Family (cast recording)
Various Artists - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack (deluxe edition with bonus tracks and poster)
Various Artists - Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to Shel Silverstein (Preview)
Various Artists - You Baby: Words & Music By P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri
Viernes - Sinister Devices
Villagers - Becoming a Jackal (2-LP vinyl)
Wanda Jackson - Love Me Forever / Blues in My Heart
We Are The In Crowd - Guaranteed To Disagree [EP]
What Laura Says - Bloom Cheek
Wild Moccasins - Skin Collision Past
Wye Oak - My Neighbor / My Creator
Yo La Tengo - Here To Fall Remixes EP (vinyl)
Young Veins - Take a Vacation (vinyl and CD)

Find your favorite Indie releases here:




Have any new music releases you want to share?  Send an email to rbenson30@wi.rr.com !

‘Priceless’ music collection leaves Malta for N.Y.

By CARRIE FRILLMAN
Daily Chronicle



MALTA – Loren Schoenberg ended a 30-year quest Thursday afternoon by retrieving an “unknown collection of stuff” that he’s certain will alter history.

“The truth is, these are priceless,” said Schoenberg, 51, scanning a room filled with boxes that contained nearly 1,000 acetate, aluminum and vinyl records. “These literally cannot be purchased.”

Schoenberg, the executive director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, N.Y., traveled with two helpers to Malta this week to retrieve the delicate media. It will be transferred to the museum – an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution – and digitized.

Around 3 p.m. Thursday, Schoenberg, musician Kevin Cerovich and jazz record producer Scott Wenzel had inventoried 765 records, they said. They began the process Monday.

The records are the life work of the late Bill Savory, a recording engineer who made every effort to save jazz performances of the “Big Band Era” in the 1930s and beyond, said his son, Eugene Desavouret, 61. Savory also recorded historical conversations with other musical engineers to ensure that the details of technical progress would be available to everyone.

“Personally, I just want these to be out of my house and into somebody’s ears,” Desavouret said Thursday, with a laugh.

Leaving behind a carefully labeled and well-taken-care-of legacy of his music, compositions and instrumental arrangements, Savory died in 2004. His nearly 1,000 original records, as well as audio tapes, were recovered from his estate in Falls Church, Va., his son said.

The collection includes many never-before-heard arrangements by American jazz musician Benny Goodman, who enthusiasts know as the “King of Swing.” Recordings of singer and songwriter Billie Holiday also are included in the mix, as well as historical speeches by former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Wenzel said.

“You can happen upon collections, here and there, but these are unreleased recordings,” Wenzel, 50, said, adding that most of the work was recorded before 1941, when Savory was in his late teens and early 20s. “No one knew these even existed.”

Schoenberg had an idea they existed, he said, and first asked Savory about the sound bites in 1980. He’d been wondering about them ever since.

Schoenberg said he planned to drive the recordings – he calls them the “cream of the crop” – to New York on Thursday night in a moving truck. That way “they do not leave my sight,” he said.

“If I had found just five of these discs, it would have created a stir,” Schoenberg said. “In essence, there’s no genre of the arts that won’t be affected by this collection. These are just a bunch of messy old boxes until you rescue them.”


SOURCE: Special thanks to Kate Schott at Daily Chronicle in DeKalb, Ill. for allowing me to reprint this material.   http://www.daily-chronicle.com/

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 05/29/2010

1. 45 - Elvis Presley "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" Sun 209 - $10,987.00

2. LP - Georges Enesco Bach Sonatas Continental - $5,500.00

3. 45 - The Lonesome Drifter "Eager Boy" / "Tear Drop Alley" K - $5,100.69

4. 78 - Charly Jordan "Keep It Clean No 2" / "You Run And Tell Your Daddy" Vocalion - $4,749.99

5. LP - Johanna Martzy "Bach: The unaccompanied Violin Sonatas" Columbia Box set UK - $3,173.45



Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 06/05/2010

1. LP - Fresh Blueberry Pancake "Heavy" Private Press Psych - $7,000.00

2. LP - Hank Mobley "with Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan" Blue Note 1540 - 5,101.00

3. LP - The Beatles & Frank Ifield "On Stage" VeeJay Portrait Jacket - $2,800.00

4. LP - Velvet Underground & Nico self titled Mono Promo yellow label - $2,600.00

5. LP - John Heartsman And Circles "Music Of My Heart" Private - $2,550.00


Top 5 brought to you by: Vinyl Record Talk Tuesday 5pm ET / 8pm PT

More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.

http://shows.radiodentata.com/shows/accidental-nostalgia

This Date In Music History - June 7

Birthdays:
Thomas Woodward (Tom Jones) (1940)

Paddy McAloon - Prefab Sprout (1957)

Prince Rogers Nelson (1958)



Gordon Gano - Violent Femmes (1963)

Eric Kretz - Stone Temple Pilots (1966)

David Navarro - Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers from 1993 - 1998 (1967)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1917, Dean Martin. He died December 25, 1995.

In 1998, songwriter Wally Gold died in a New Jersey hospital (age 70). Wrote "It's My Party," a hit for Lesley Gore and "It's Now or Never," a hit for Elvis Presley. Member of late 50's group The Four Esquires, produced Kansas & Gene Pitney.


History:

Bill Haley recorded "Shake, Rattle & Roll" in 1954.

The Rolling Stones made their British TV debut on "Thank Your Lucky Stars" in 1963.

The Rolling Stones' first record, "Come On," was released in 1963.

During their first ever US tour in 1964, the Rolling Stones were booed off stage at a gig in San Antonio, Texas. Some performing monkeys, who had been the act on before the Stones, were brought back on stage for another performance.

Roy Orbison's wife, Claudette was killed in a motorcycle accident near Nashville in 1966.

In 1968, Fleetwood Mac, Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane all appeared for the first of a three night run at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, California.

Supergroup Blind Faith, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood, made their live debut at a free concert in London's Hyde Park in 1969.

Also in 1969, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell both appeared on the first ABC TV Johnny Cash Show from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The Who performed “Tommy” at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House in 1970. The show was the first time The Who played this venue and the last time they perform “Tommy” in its entirety for nearly two decades.

Don McLean recorded "Vincent" in 1971.

 

The musical, "Grease" opens on Broadway in 1972.

Elton John's album 'Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboys,' went to #1 on the US album chart in 1975, the first album ever to enter the US chart at #1.

John Denver went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with "Thank God I'm A Country Boy," the singers third US #1.

Capitol Records released the Beatles package "Rock 'N' Roll Music" in 1976.

Prince's first single "Soft and Wet" was released in 1978.

In 1969, Chuck Berry pled guilty to income tax evasion and was sentenced to 120 days in federal prison.

Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion was opened to the public in 1982.

Madonna went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1986 with "Live To Tell," her third US #1 single.

In 1987, David Bowie played a concert in West Berlin in front of the Reichstag with the speakers pointing towards the nearby Berlin Wall where thousands of young East Berliners stood and listened.

The ground breaking ceremony was held for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH in 1993.

In 1995, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood was admitted to hospital after his ear was leaking blood. The problem was diagnosed as his arm movement from continuous guitar playing.

In 2002, Virgin Records announced they had dropped Victoria Beckham after her debut solo album, which cost over $5.1 million to make, had sold only 50,000 copies.

In 2004, Metallica nabbed the "Best International Act" honor and The Darkness wins the "Best Video" trophy for their "Love Is Only a Feeling" clip at the second annual “Metal Hammer Golden God Awards,” held in London.

2007, The funeral of guitarist, singer Bo Diddley took place in Gainesville, Florida in 2007. Many in attendance chanted "Hey Bo Diddley" shortly after family members had passed by his coffin as a gospel band played Bo Diddley's music. At the service, they presented a floral tribute in form of his trademark square guitar.

Paul McCartney played a surprise concert at a club in London in 2007 to celebrate the release of 'Memory Almost Full.' He performed new stuff, old stuff and even Beatles tunes. Jeff Beck and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour were in the audience.

3 Doors Down were at #1 on the US album chart in 2008 with their self titled second US #1.

During the encore at the Foo Fighters' concert at London's Wembley Stadium in 2008, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones come onstage for renditions of Zep’s "Rock & Roll" and "Ramble On.” "This is the greatest f-in’ night in our band’s life," Grohl tells the audience.

This Date In Music History - June 5

Birthdays:

Don Reid - Statler Brothers (1945)

Freddie Stone - Sly and The Family Stone (1946)

Laurie Anderson (1947)

Nicko McBrain - Iron Maiden (1954)

Richard Butler - Psychedelic Furs (1956)

Brian McKnight (1969)

Mark Wahlberg/Marky Mark - New Kids On The Block & Solo (1971)

Pete Wentz - Fall Out Boy (1979)


They Are Missed:

Ronnie Dyson was born in 1950. Died on November 10, 1990.

Born today in 1941, Floyd Butler, vocalist with The Friends Of Distinction, who had a 1969 US #3 single with "Grazing In The Grass." Died of a heart attack on April 29, 1990.



Drummer Jim Hodder drowned in his swimming pool in 1990 (age 42). He was the original drummer with Steely Dan and also worked with Sammy Hagar and David Soul.

Richard Sohl, keyboard player with the Patti Smith group died of a heart attack in 1990. Also played live with Iggy Pop.

Born on this day in 1948, Frank Eslersmith, keyboards, Air Supply. He died March 1st 1991.

Country singer Conway Twitty died from an abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1993. Until 2000, he held the record for the most Number One singles of any country act, with 45 #1's.

Ex Small Faces, The Faces and leader of Slim Chance, Ronnie Lane died in 1997 (age 51) after a 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

Jazz singer and songwriter Mel Torme died in 1999 (age 73). His "Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" has been recorded more than 1,700 times.

Dee Dee Ramone of the Ramones died in 2002.

Animals’ keyboardist Dave Rowberry died in London in 2003 at the age of 62. Rowberry joined The Animals after the group had a falling out with founder/leader Alan Price. Rowberry stayed until the original group disbanded in the mid-60s.


History:

In 1956, Elvis Presley appeared on ABC-TV's 'Milton Berle Show,' and while singing "Hound Dog" performed the suggestive 'gyrating' movements.

Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula" was released in 1956. It sells over a million copies.



"Susie Q" was released by Dale Hawkins in 1957.

Bill Justis recorded "Raunchy" in 1957.

In 1959, Bob Zimmerman graduated from high school in Hibbing, Minnesota. Zimmerman was known as a greaser to classmates in the remote rural community, because of his long sideburns and leather jacket.

Roy Orbison went to #1 on the US chart in 1961 with "Running Scared."

In 1964, the Rolling Stones played their first-ever live date in the US when they appeared at the Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California.

Davey Jones and the Kingbees release their first single “Liza Jane” in the U.K. in 1964. Later, Jones recasts himself as David Bowie.

In 1968, the Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared on the Dusty Springfield TV show filmed on ATV, in London, England.

Also in 1968 - The Rolling Stones began recording "Sympathy For The Devil" at London's Olympic Sound Studios. Also responding to Senator Kennedy's assassination, Mick Jagger adds the line "who killed the Kennedys?" The Stones finished the track in less than a week.

Donovan and Joan Baez performed at a rally for nuclear disarmament in London in 1969.

The Doors documentary film, "Feast Of Friends", debuts in Los Angeles in 1969.

In 1971, Grand Funk Railroad smashed the record held by The Beatles when they sold out New York's Shea Stadium in 72 hours.

1971 - James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend" was released in 1971.



Sly Stone was married during his concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1974 (the marriage lasts less than five months).

Patti Smith recorded her first song in 1974. It was her version of "Hey Joe."

In 1975, during recording sessions for 'Wish You Were Here' at Abbey Road Studios, London, England, Syd Barrett turned up out of the blue as Pink Floyd were listening to playbacks of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," (a tribute to former band member Barrett). This was the last time any member of Pink Floyd saw Barrett.

In 1977, Alice Cooper's boa constrictor, a co-star of his live act, suffered a fatal bite from a rat it was being fed for breakfast. Cooper held auditions for a replacement and a snake named 'Angel' got the gig.

During a 48-date North American tour in 1983, U2 played at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver. The show was recorded and released as 'U2 Live At Red Rocks: Under A Blood Red Sky.'

Janet Jackson started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with 'Janet.'

Alicia Key's debut album "Songs in A Minor" was released in 2001.

Also in 2001 - Officials in Singapore threw out an appeal against a ban on Janet Jackson's latest album, ‘All For You.' They decided that the lyrics of the album, particularly one song, "Would You Mind," were "not acceptable to our society." The record was initially outlawed because of its "sexually explicit lyrics", including "I just wanna touch you, tease you, lick you, please you, love you, make love to you." EMI were attempting a compromise by trying to persuade Jackson's management to delete "Would You Mind" from the album.

In 2003, R. Kelly was banned from travelling to LA for a video shoot. He wasn't allowed to leave Chicago after being charged with 21 child porn offences last June over a video, which claimed to show him having sex with an underage girl.

Audioslave were at #1 on the US album chart in 2005 with 'Out of Exile.'

In 2007, jurors in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector were shown the bloody revolver that was found at the feet of Lana Clarkson, the actress he was accused of killing at his home in the early hours of February 3rd, 2003. She had accompanied Spector to his Alhambra, California mansion after meeting him at her job as a hostess at the House of Blues just hours earlier.

Also in 2007 - Sir Paul McCartney released his 21st solo album, ‘Memory Almost Full’ on the new Hear Music Starbucks label. It was later announced that all copies sold through UK Starbucks would not be eligible for the UK charts as the 533 stores were not registered with the Official Chart Company. The album was being played non-stop in more than 10,000 Starbucks outlets across 29 countries.

In 2007, Lucy O’Donnell, a former schoolmate of John Lennon’s son Julian, claims that she was the subject of a painting by Julian that inspired The Beatles song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds."