bmusic - Newsletter No. 126

In 1955, Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" reached number one on the US charts, staying in the top spot for seven weeks. Haley's recording sold only moderately well when it was first released in the spring of 1954. But when it was included in the soundtrack of "Blackboard Jungle," a film about juvenile delinquents, demand for the record soared. By 1970, world sales of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets were estimated at 16-million copies.

In 1956, Elvis Presley appeared on "The Steve Allen Show." Allen managed to make Elvis appear ridiculous, forbidding him to dance and having him sing "Hound Dog" to a bassett hound. Today, one of the most famous pieces of Elvis Presley on television.

In 1966, the Grateful Dead released their first single in the U.S., "Don't Ease Me In" backed with "Stealin'."

In 1969, the Denver Pop Festival opened at the Mile High Stadium. Among the performers were Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was the last concert by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Later that year, Hendrix formed the Band of Gypsies.

In 1973, David Bowie announced at a London concert that ended a 60-date British tour that he would never again perform on stage. He disbanded his backing group, The Spiders From Mars, and went to Paris to record an album. Bowie's retirement was shortlived. Less than a year later he was back on stage in the US with the "Diamond Dogs" tour.

In 1973, vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover played their last concert with Deep Purple, a show in Japan. Gillan left the band for a solo career while Glover opted for session and production work. Their replacements with Deep Purple were David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

In 1975, Cher and Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band were married. She had been divorced from Sonny Bono only several days. Nine days after marrying Allman, Cher was again suing for divorce

In 1976, Brian Wilson, rehabilitated from drug and other problems, joined the Beach Boys on stage in Oakland, California for the first time in 12 years.

In 1977, the theatrical rock group Kiss released a comic book of themselves. The story that band members contributed some of their blood to the printing ink undoubtedly helped boost sales past the 500,000 mark.

In 1981, Jerry Lee Lewis was taken to hospital in Memphis after bleeding internally from a perforated stomach ulcer. After two operations, his chances were rated no better than 50-50. But within four months, Lewis was back performing.

In 1985, Yul Brynner gave his 4,625th and final performance in the musical "The King and I." Less than four months later, Brynner was dead of lung cancer at the age of 65. Brynner had opened in "The King and I" on Broadway in 1951. He also starred in the 1956 movie version.

In 1988, the wife of Lionel Richie was arrested in Beverly Hills, California after allegedly hitting the singer and a young woman after she found them in bed together.

In 1988, former Beach Boy Brian Wilson released his first record in 22 years, "Love and Mercy." The album was not a commercial success. On the same date, the Beach Boys released the single "Kokomo," which went to number one.

In 1988, Michael Jackson became the first artist to have five number one singles from one album when "Dirty Diana" went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The other four chart-toppers from "Bad" were "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."

In 1991, Paul McCartney made his debut as a classical composer when his "Liverpool Oratorio" was performed at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. The former Beatle's partly autobiographical, eight-movement ode to growing up in the northern British port was performed by hundreds of singers and musicians, including soprano Dame Kiri TeKanawa. The 2,000 people in attendance stood and applauded for 10 minutes.

In 1991, Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose precipitated a riot in a St. Louis suburb by jumping off the stage and attacking a fan videotaping the heavy metal band's concert. Sixty people were hurt and the Riverport Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, Missouri was wrecked.
Several lawsuits were filed and Rose was charged with assault and property damage. Rose never surrendered to face the charges, and was arrested a year later at Kennedy International Airport in New York as he returned from a European tour.
He was eventually put on probation for two years and ordered to donate $50,000 to five social service organizations.

In 1993, singer Lyle Lovett wed actress Julia Roberts in a hastily arranged wedding in Marion, Indiana. Lovett's band performed "Angel Eyes" in honor of the bride. The two had met the previous year while filming Robert Altman's "The Player." The couple announced on March 28th, 1995, that they were separating.

In 1995, the three members of the female rap group TLC filed for bankruptcy protection. One of the major problems - a $1.3 million claim against Lisa (Left Eye) Lopez for setting fire to her boyfriend's Atlanta-area mansion.

In 1995, Hole singer Courtney Love punched Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna backstage at the opening date of the Lollapalooza tour in George, Washington. Love sported a cast on her arm at some subsequent shows, and was charged with assault. She later posted a message on the America Online computer service saying that when her fist "met" Hanna's head "it was orgasmic." Love pleaded guilty to the assault but avoided jail by agreeing to attend anger management classes.

In 1997, one of the biggest deals in music publishing history was completed when EMI Group paid US$132,000 for a 50 per cent share of the company that controlled the Motown song catalogue. Motown founder Berry Gordy's sale of half of Jobete Music covered the copyrights to such classic songs as Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," the Miracles' "Shop Around" and Barrett Strong's "Money."

In 1997, the remaining members of John Lennon's original group, The Quarrymen, reunited to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the historic meeting between Lennon and Paul McCartney. They performed the Del Vikings hit "Come Go With Me" from the back of a truck that toured the streets around Liverpool's St. Peter's Church where Lennon and McCartney first met on July 6th, 1957.

BACK TO CONTENTS

Births In 1915, bluesman Willie Dixon, an important link between blues and rock 'n' roll, was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He wrote scores of blues classics that were later adopted by rock bands - songs such as "Little Red Rooster," "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" and "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover." Dixon sold many of his songs for as little as $30 apiece, losing thousands of dollars in royalties. Dixon, a bass player, played in the house band at Chess Records in Chicago, backing such musicians as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters. He also arranged and produced many of the sessions at the label. Dixon died on January 29th, 1992.

In 1943, Florence Ballard of the Supremes was born in Detroit. The three original Supremes - Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson - grew up together in a housing project. Through a friendship with members of the Temptations, the trio, then calling themselves the Primettes, were introduced to Berry Gordy, who signed them to Motown in 1961. It was Florence Ballard who suggested a change of name for the group - to the Supremes. It wasn't until their 10th single, "Where Did Our Love Go," in 1964 that the Supremes hit the top of the charts. Other number-one records for the Supremes that year included "Baby Love" and "Come See About Me."
Diana Ross gradually emerged as the star of the group, and this and other problems led to Florence Ballard's departure from the Supremes in 1967. She later sued Ross and Berry Gordy, alleging she had been forced out of the group. Ballard lost the suit, and when she died three years later of cardiac arrest at the age of 32, she and her three children were living on welfare.

In 1943, Judith Durham, lead singer of the Australian folk-pop group the Seekers.

In 1943, Alan (Blind Owl) Wilson, one of the founders of the blues-rock band Canned Heat, was born in Boston. Canned Heat's appearance at the Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967 gained them a wider audience, and they had hit singles with "On the Road Again," "Going Up the Country" and "Let's Work Together." Wilson, who was partially blind and subject to severe depression, died of a drug overdose in 1970. Canned Heat never recovered from the setback.

In 1944, Glen Shorrock, lead singer of Little River Band.

In 1944, Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys was born in Chicago. He joined the touring version of the group in 1965 when Brian Wilson decided to quit touring after a nervous breakdown.

In 1945, Deborah Harry, former lead singer of Blondie.

In 1948, Jeremy Spencer, former guitarist and vocalist with Fleetwood Mac.

In 1948, Ian Paice, drummer with Deep Purple and Whitesnake.

In 1949, Andrew Scott, lead guitarist with the '70s British rock group Sweet.

In 1949, Australian singer John Farnham, former lead vocalist with Little River Band who went on to sell far too many records considering his talent. All thanks to Glenn Wheatly me says. Surround yourself with the best writers and musicians in the country and no one will ever know that all you can do is carry a tune.

In 1951, rock and jazz bass player Stanley Clarke was born in Philadelphia. Following stints with such well-known jazz artists as Art Blakey, Gil Evans and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Clark and pianist Chick Corea formed a jazz-rock group called Return to Forever in 1972. The group's albums were popular, but Return to Forever disbanded in 1976. Clarke joined Rolling Stones guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Woods in 1979 for a North American tour as the New Barbarians.

In 1953, Australian rock singer Colin James Hay, former lead vocalist of Men at Work.

In 1954, Pete Briquette of the Irish rock group the Boomtown Rats.

In 1956, Philip Wright of the British electro-pop group the Human League.

In 1957, singer Laura Brannigan.

In 1958, Kirk Pengilly, guitarist, saxophonist and vocalist with the Australian rock band INXS.

In 1959, Richie Sambora, guitarist with Bon Jovi who has endorsed more guitar and accessory brands than any one alive or dead. (Except maybe Dimebag Darrell of Pantera).

In 1959, Stephen Pearcy, lead singer of the hard rock band Ratt.

In 1960, Vince Clarke of the electronic music bands Depeche Mode and Erasure.

In 1962, singer Taylor Dane.

In 1963, Roddy Bottum, keyboardist with the San Francisco band Faith No More.

In 1967, rock singer with plenty o' cred, Juliana Hatfield.

BACK TO CONTENTS

Deaths In 1966, country singer Slim Willet died of a heart attack at age 46. Willet's one and only hit, "Don't Let the Stars (Get in Your Eyes)," topped the country chart in 1952. The song was a number-one pop hit for Perry Como the following year.

In 1972, blues singer and guitarist Mississippi Fred McDowell died in Memphis, Tennessee of cancer at the age of 68. He did not make his first recordings until 1959, when he was 55 years old, but he became one of the best known of all country blues singers during the 1960's. Singer and guitarist Bonnie Raitt was responsible for bringing McDowell to the attention of rock fans, including him on her tours and recording his songs. McDowell's best known composition is "You Got to Move," recorded by the Rolling Stones on their "Sticky Fingers" album.

In 1975, folk singer Tim Buckley died of a heroin and morphine overdose in Santa Monica, California at the age of 28. Testimony at the coroner's inquest indicated Buckley had snorted what he thought was cocaine. The man who owned the house where Buckley died was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

In 1979, Lowell George, former lead singer of the rock band Little Feat, died of an apparent heart attack in Arlington, Virginia. He was 34. George had just released a solo album following the breakup of Little Feat, and was on tour with his own band when he died. Little Feat was formed in Los Angeles in 1969 by George and Roy Estrada, both former members of the Mothers of Invention.

In 1981, Steppenwolf bass guitarist Rushton Moreve died in a car crash in Los Angeles. He was 32. Moreve wrote Steppenwolf's 1968 million-seller, "Magic Carpet Ride."

In 1987, all six members of the Montana Band were among 10 people killed when a light plane crashed and burned in western Montana. The Reno, Nevada-based bluegrass band had become popular since winning the 1986 Willie Nelson Music Invitational.

In 1988, jazz and blues great Eddie (Cleanhead) Vinson died in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 70. He also suffered from cancer of the esophagus. Vinson was a singer and alto saxophone player whose hits in the 1940's included "Cherry Red," "Kidney Stew Blues" and "Somebody's Got to Go."

In 1995, jazz and R'n'B singer Phyllis Hyman committed suicide in her New York apartment. She was 45. Hyman starred in the 1981 Broadway musical "Sophisticated Ladies," a tribute to Duke Ellington. That same year, she had a top-10 R'n'B hit, "Can't We Fall in Love Again."

In 1997, blues guitarist Johnny Copeland died in New York, a week after his eighth open-heart operation. He was 60. Copeland's commercial breakthrough came in 1985 with "Showdown!," a collaboration with Albert Collins and Robert Cray that won a Grammy Award for best traditional blues recording.

In 1998, Roy Rogers King Of The Cowboys passed away. Roy was a member of Pioneer Trio, Sons Of The Pioneers, (famous for "Tumbling Tumbleweed"), The Rocky Mountaineers and Jack LeFevre And His Texas Outlaws. He was married to Dale Evans. She and Roy did, "Happy Trails".

In 1999, Mark Sandman, singer and bassist for Morphine. Had a heart attack on stage.

In 2000, Trinidad born promoter Harold Phillips (aka Lord Woodbine and Woodie) died of smoke inhalation in a house fire. Phillips was the first to promote The Beatles who were, at the time, called The Silver Beatles.

In 2001, saxophonist Joe Henderson died of heart failure. Beside his solo work, Henderson worked with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jack McDuff, Freddie Hubbard, Louis Hayes and The Herbie Hancock Sextet.

In 2001, Chet Atkins died of lung cancer. Producer, vocalist, guitarist, arranger and fiddler. He did,"Yakety Axe" and "Country Gentleman" (to which the Gretsch guitar is named). In his career he worked with The Dixie Swingers, Homer And Jethro, Red Foley, Shorty Thompson And His Rangers, Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, The Everly Brothers ("Wake Up Little Susie''), Elvis Presley ("Heartbreak Hotel"), Hank Williams Sr. ("Your Cheatin' Heart") and many others including Australia's own Tommy Emmanuel. Chet Atkins was the King of the Chicken Pickers.

In 2002, pop and jazz singer Rosemary Clooney died in Beverly Hills at the age of 74. Rosemary was the aunt of actor George Clooney and mother-in-law of singer Debbie Boone.

In 2002, John Entwistle, bass player for The Who, was found dead in a Las Vegas apartment the day before the group were to embark on a North American tour. After much speculation the Las Vegas coroner determined that cocaine caused the heart attack that killed Entwistle. The death was classified as accidental and not due to an overdose. The drug caused his coronary arteries - already damaged by a pre-existing heart condition - to contract, which led to the fatal heart attack. How much cocaine was in Entwistle's system, however, couldn't be determined

BACK TO CONTENTS

NEWSLETTER SUGGESTIONS

If there's a segment or something you think bmusic should include in it's weekly newsletter just let us know. Drop us a line. After all, the newsletter is for you. If you have a story or an article you'd like to have considered for inclusion just e-mail it to FEEDBACK

BACK TO CONTENTS

DON’T WANT THE bmusic NEWSLETTER?

If you’re sick of our boring newsletter, or you have wrongfully been placed on the Subscription list for bmusic, simply reply to this e-mail and replace the subject line with UNSUBSCRIBE and we won’t hassle you anymore.

BACK TO CONTENTS

PRIVACY

You can rest assured that your e-mail address and any other details bmusic has about you will never be forwarded to parties outside the bmusic organization. We are as sick as you are of getting unauthorised, crap e-mails from some mail list. Credit card numbers are not stored by bmusic.

BACK TO CONTENTS

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!

A free service brought to you by www.bmusic.com.au Copyright © 2004 bmusic.

To receive the bmusic weekly e-newsletter simply click Here and send the e-mail.

If you've missed a newsletter simply visit the bmusic newsletter Archive.

BACK TO CONTENTS