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bmusic
Newsletter No.142
October 17th - October 23rd 2004

So Dicko has quit Channel Ten and Australian Idol this past week. Seems Dicko, who left his job at BMG Records in July this year, and his manager have signed a deal with Channel Seven (reportedly worth around 2 million clams) to "develop new shows like talent and chat shows". Great! (Read: sarcasm). For mine it would appear Dicko is smart enough to know that Australian Idol will be running out of steam by next year and has made the move before the inevitable. And Channel Ten maybe have the same inkling, hence the reason for them not going anywhere near the amount of money Channel Seven are supposedly throwing at Dicko. So the only party without a clue in all this is the one paying the big money, Channel Seven! Money well spent? Time will only tell.

Still on the Australian Idol juggernaut, keep an eye on the ARIA Album charts released Sunday night coming. Cosima DeVito's debut self-titled, self-financed album went on sale this week and it will be very, very interesting to see whether she snares the Number One spot, and if she does how long she can hang on to it. There's not an awful lot out at the moment or being released at the same time to keep her from top posy. The Good Charlotte album released two weeks ago may be the only long player to distract young buyers budgets away from Cosima's release, I doubt the John Denver "Best Of" would have been the hottest must have item for young Australian girls this past fortnight. Bear in mind, however, that some weeks as little as 6,000 units sold could get you the top spot, and pre-order copies for Cosima's placed before the attraction wore off could easily account for those sort of sales figures, and then some considerable more I suspect.

A Where Are They Now? this week on a subject that most would have resigned to "one hit wonder" status, yet it's individual members have been some of the most prolific contributors behind the scenes to modern commercial music for the past two decades.
Regulars including Feature Article, The Week Ahead in Music History, Featured Product and more are all inside Issue 142 of the bmusic Newsletter.

Links in the Table of contents below will launch your browser, so you'll need to be online to view the newsletter. If you are unable to receive html format e-mails then copy and paste the following link into your browser's address bar to view the newsletter:
http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno142.html

Thanks to everyone for reading, we'll see you next week!

TABLE OF CONTENTS (You will need to be on-line to use the Table of Contents to jump through sections)
  • Where Are They Now? - Mr Mister
  • This week's Music Quote
  • Featured Product - Nemesis by David Eden
  • Vintage and Items of Interest Available
  • This week's Specials
  • This week's Feature Article
  • This week's Feature Artist - Elsewhere
  • Musicians Wanted
  • Gear Wanted
  • Band Links
  • The Week Ahead In Music History
               Events
               Births
               Deaths
  • Give us your suggestions
  • Don't want the bmusic Newsletter?
  • Privacy Statement
  • See you next week

  • WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - MR MISTER

    Richard Page and Steve George grew up together in Phoeniz, Arizona, both learning piano and voice. The pair began writing their own music from an early age with Page's forte ultimately being voice and George's piano. Rchard's cousin John Lang also entered the picture, contributing lyrics only, dubbing himself as "tone deaf". Lang was actually the adopted son of a multi-millionaire former army General and spent three years in military school in Mexico. He would continue to send Page and George lyrics from the creatively stifling Mexican military educational institution.

    When Lang returned from Mexico Richard and Steve had formed their first band, using their music and John's lyrics. An L.A. based arranger/producer, after hearing their music, lured them to L.A., paying their rent for the first two months then disappearing. Steve and Richard were on their own and eked out a meager living playing the odd gig around Los Angeles.

    They soon left L.A. for the bright lights of Las Vegas where they immediately picked up far more work than they could have imagined. In fact, the club work was too much work with Richard's voice constantly strained from working every night, up to seven sets a night. He finally decided to pursue his craft in a more structured environment, leaving Steve in Las Vegas to attend music college in San Diego. He composed a three act ballet as part of his studies but soon ran out of funds to support his attendance at the college and decided to give L.A. another shot.

    He worked live in many genres there, including Country & Western, and picked up low paying session jobs in the many facilities around Studio City. After six months he summoned Steve George to again join him and they formed the band Pages. Through Richard's new found contacts Pages signed to Epic in 1978. They released two albums for the label, both critically lauded for their musicianship, but both poor sellers. Their jazz/pop/fusion stylings didn't fly in the disco drenched charts of the time.

    Pages recordings featured Richard on lead vocals and keyboards and Steve on keyboards but also contributing the odd lead vocal track. John Lang wrote all the lyrics for the Pages material. The remainder of the performing on these albums came from studio musicians including Kenny Loggins, Neil Stubenhaus, Jeff Porcaro, Al Jarreau, Joey Trujillo, Mike Baird, and many others.

    After signing to Capitol Records in 1980 they released another critically well received yet poor chart performing Pages album. To supplement their income from disappointing Pages sales Richard and Steve had to invest more and more of their time again working sessions for other artists. The Pages project was ended with Richard and Steve's intentions to form a "real band" as opposed to their previous work which was heavily reliant on studio musicians.

    But their paths diverged as increased session commitments ensued, the pair being reunited when touring as backing vocalists for Andy Gibb. Following the tour they continued to work sessions but by now both had their sights firmly set on getting their "real band" together.

    Page, George and Lang earnt the acknowledgement and respect of many industry heavyweights over the next year or so during sessions working as backing singers and/or writers for some of the biggest acts of the day including Kenny Loggins, Donna Summer, Quincy Jones, REO Speedwagon, Toto, Peter Allen, Barry Manilow, and more. Two of particular interest include Richard's contributions to the Village People album "You Can't Stop The Music", for which the group itself never sang a note, and one for Twisted Sister which Richard walked out on in the middle of a backing vocals session due to some moral objections he had.

    It was during this prolific period of session work that the lads met Eddie Money's touring guitarists Steve Farris and session drummer Pat Mastelotto. The four formed an as yet unnamed band and signed with RCA in 1982.

    Richard, Steve George and John were working almost exclusively for Al Jarreau over the next two years but found time along the way to write and record their original material with Steve Farris and Pat. A session bassist worked on the early recordings but ultimately Richard ended up playing bass as well as singing lead, finalising the line-up as a four piece, Richard Page, Steve George, Steve Farris and Pat Mastelotto. John Lang enjoyed his role in the group as a lyricist and firmly entrenched out of the spotlight.

    Their debut album, "I Wear The Face", was ready for release at the start of 1984 and it came time to choose a name for the group. The Mr Mister moniker was adopted and the debut released. However, with no touring, next to no promotion, and the lead single, "Hunters Of The Night", only just cracking the Top 100 singles chart the album only managed Number 170 on the Billboard albums chart.

    They almost immediately set to work on their follow up, which may not have ever eventuated had it not been for two key things in Richard Page's life falling to the favour of Mr Mister. Richard turned down an offer to replace Bobby Kimball as front man for supergroup Toto, choosing to stick with Mr Mister. He also managed to kick a major drug habit. It wouldn't be long before this paid off.

    In 1985 Mr Mister's "Welcome To The Real World" album was released, it's first two singles smashing the charts. Both "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie" made it to Number One on the U.S. singles chart, the third single, "Is It Love", not quite getting the top spot but still managing to crack the Top 10.

    Mr Mister's sophomore album ended up selling in excess of ten million copies and making the Number One album chart position, the first release for RCA records to do so in more than ten years. Again Richard Page had a very tempting offer to leave Mr Mister and join another massive group. Chicago wanted to enlist his full-time services to replace Peter Cetera. Again, Richard knocked back a very lucrative offer in favour of sticking with the dream he and his good friends had created in Mr Mister.

    They supported Tina Turner on her 1986 international tour and also opened for Heart on a few dates. Their next new recording was a single contribution to the Rob Lowe movie "Youngblood". The movie didn't fare too well, and nor did the Mr Mister soundtrack single "Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You)".

    Mr Mister's third album was released in early 1987 and this release, "Go On", was more widely accepted critically for it's musicianship and lyricism, not that the minimal critical acceptance for their previous album had hampered sales. Interestingly the "Youngblood" soundtrack contribution was given another run on this third Mr Mister album, being released as the lead single.

    it seems critical acclaim and sales success really didn't go hand in hand for Mr Mister, or for that matter their earlier incarnation Pages. The third Mr Mister album failed to perform even remotely as well as "Welcome To The Real World".

    Steve Farris left the band soon after the release of "Go On" and was replaced by Buzz Feiten. (Feiten later developed a unique tuning system for guitars that claims to improve the intonation of the instrument, being employed very widely on Washburn electric guitars over the past few years and by a number of manufacturers off and on for around a decade now). Feiten recorded Mr Mister's fourth album, "Pull", in 1988. The album wasn't released, and still hasn't been to this day, and the band made the decision to split around 1990.

    So Mr Mister have forever been cast as one album wonders yet the band's members have been prolific contributors as writers and/or session musicians to work by some of the industry's biggest ever names. Following the disbandment of Mr Mister the individual members of the group slipped right back in to the roles from whence they came.

    RICHARD PAGE
    After knocking back enticing offers from Toto and Chicago to pursue his own dream Page's career post-1988 could well have been very, very different had he chosen one of those alternate paths. He went straight back into the session scene after Mr Mister and also worked as a writer, penning Madonna's 1994 hit ballad "I'll Remember". As a result of this work for Madonna he formed the short-lived group Third Matinee with Madonna producer Patrick Leonard. They released one album before breaking up, Page going on to release his first solo album, "Shelter Me", in 1996.

    His next major session commitments were to Disney musicals "Music From The Park" and "Winnie The Pooh: The Grand Adventure".

    Other 1990s work of note from Page was as a songwriter for Aussies John Farnham and Daryl Braithwaite on their respective "Romeo's Heart" and "Rise" releases. He has also worked in recent years as a backing vocalist for Rod Stewart, John Tesh, Leo Sayer, Toto, Nancy Wilson, Rick Springfield, and many, many more.

    Last week Richard performed at the L.A. House Of Blues with Brian Wilson, Bruce Hornsby, Patty Smyth, The Zombies and other for a tribute to the late star-maker Paul Atkinson. Atkinson signed Abba and assisted the careers in the U.S. of Aerosmith, Eurythmics, Beach Boys, B.B. King, Elton John, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, and countless others.

    STEVE GEORGE
    Steve worked sessions for Kenny Loggins, Cher, Richard Marx, Elvis Costello, and others, dabbles in engineering, and wrote for some minor names before being enlisted as musical director for Kenny Loggins in 1991. Between acting as Loggins' director until 1997 he continued to work sessions (Neil Diamond, Marc Russo, John Tesh, Leo Sayer), engineer DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince!), and write (John Tesh).

    After finishing up with Loggins he commenced work on his hitherto unreleased first solo album and continued to write and work sessions on a more limited scale.

    JOHN LANG
    After Mr Mister ceased to exist Lang actually formed a band of his own, and played in it! He was the guitarist/singer for Langster which also included Richard Page's brother Rob Page on keyboards. No more than a demo was recorded before the group disbanded.

    In 1995 he released a grunge influenced album "Radio Beirut" with his next band Djinn. The band released a second album, "All Time", in 1998 on German label Dogo Bros.

    Lang continues to write, relocating to California, where Page and George also live, after spending eight or nine years in New York. His career as a lyricist and/or songwriter outside of Mr Mister has seen his work recorded by Gloria Gaynor, Al Jarreau, and John Tesh amongst others. He also played bagpipes on a 1991 release by Jeanne Newhall.

    Word is, now back in L.A., Lang may again be writing with Richard Page.

    STEVE FARRIS
    Primarily Farris has continued as a session guitarist since leaving Mr Mister in 1998, working for Al Stewart, Gary Wright, Belinda Carlisle, Celine Dion ("Falling In To You"), Howard Jones, Alice Cooper and playing on Richard Page's 1986 solo album.

    In 1997 Steve joined hard rock veterans Whitesnake, fronted by David Coverdale, for their "Last Hurrah" tour.

    PAT MASTELOTTO
    During the last months of Mr Mister Pat recorded with, and joined for a short time, XTC and Cock Robin. He worked sessions throughout the early Nineties for The Rembrandts, Robert Fripp, Michael Penn, and Aussie Tina Arena before joining King Crimson in 1994. He also appeared on Richard Page's "Shelter Me" solo effort in 1996. He has backed off the session musician output since joining King Crimson where he has remained to this day. He is reportedly soon to release a duet CD with fellow drummer Tery Bozzio.

    Drop us an e-mail if you'd like us to track down some of stars of the past for you and feature them in Where Are They Now? or if you have anything to add or correct from one of our features.

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    THIS WEEK'S MUSIC QUOTE

    "Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite."
    - Thomas Carlyle


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    FEATURED PRODUCT - NEMESIS BY DAVID EDEN

    Nemesis
    EDEN ELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES NEW NEMESIS SERIES OF BASS GUITAR AMPLIFIER COMBOS AND EXTENSION SPEAKER CABINETS
    The latest offering from the legendary bass amplification company founded by David Eden is the Nemesis professional line of FET powered, self contained bass combos and extension cabinets, and they're all now available at bmusic.com.au.
    Click HERE to learn more about Nemesis by Eden Electronics.

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    VINTAGE AND ITEMS OF INTEREST AVAILABLE AT bmusic

    Ampeg VH 140C Guitar Amplifier - POA
    Good condition. Stereo chorus, twin channel guitar amp. e-mail for more info.

    Crate Stereo Quad Box - POA
    Good condition. 200 watts, 10" speakers, on wheels. e-mail for more info.

    2 x 10" Etone speakers - POA
    Good condition. Generic box loaded with 2 x 10" Etone speakers. e-mail for more info.

    Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer - $990 including GST
    Good condition. Original hard case included. Three humbuckers, gold hardware, the original "Phil Collen" tagged model.
    Detailed pics available soon. e-mail for more info.

    Aston Four String Banjo - $250 including GST
    Very good conditon. Good hard case included.
    Detailed pics available soon. e-mail for more info.

    Zildjian 20" Ride Cymbal - $199 including GST
    Old school. Very good conditon.
    Detailed pics available soon. e-mail for more info.

    Zildjian 16" Crash Cymbal - $149 including GST
    Old school. Very good conditon.
    Detailed pics available soon. e-mail for more info.

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    SPECIALS AT bmusic

    ESP GUITARS AND BASSES ON SALE ALL DAY EVERY DAY!
    We aren't the ones to "match" prices - we set 'em! Compare our LIST prices with any in Australia, good ol' bmusic.com.au is the cheapest hands down. You see, we don't need to price match when we are the thing other stores are trying to match. There's a lot to be said for taking the lead instead of following. There are a bunch of ESP BIG TIME Specials on for the next few weeks with prices even cheaper than our normal discount prices do and a shipment from Japan of some exclusive models incoming. Take a look below to see some of the goodies on offer at awesome prices.

    Specials this week include:
    OVATION CELEBRITY DELUXE CS247 ACOUSTIC/ELECTIRC GUITAR - $899 save $400 off RRP
    OVATION CELEBRITY DELUXE CS257 ACOUSTIC/ELECTIRC GUITAR - $899 save $400 off RRP
    GODIN EXIT 22 ELECTRIC GUITAR - $799 save $96 off RRP
    ESP ECLIPSE I CTM VTB - $2795 save $600 off RRP
    ESP ECLIPSE II FM - $2695 save $700 off RRP
    ESP ECLIPSE II - $2459 save $791 off RRP
    ESP VINTAGE PLUS - $2195 save $700 off RRP
    ESP RON WOOD SIGNATURE - $2495 save $700 off RRP
    ESP KIRK HAMMETT KH-2 SIGNATURE - $3475 save $1175 off RRP
    ESP VIPER STANDARD CAMO - $2549 save $846 off RRP
    ESP VIPER URBAN CAMO - $2549 save $846 off RRP
    ESP HORIZON NTII - $2549 save $655 off RRP
    ESP LTD DELUXE H-1000ASB - $1769 save $430 off RRP
    ESP LTD DELUXE VIPER-1000 - $1769 save $430 off RRP
    ESP LTD DELUXE M-1000 - $2165 save $680 off RRP
    ESP LTD DELUXE EC-1000ASB - $1755 save $444 off RRP
    ESP LTD DELUXE EC-1000BLK - $1799 save $600 off RRP
    ESP LTD EX-400 (NEW MODEL)- $1359 save $340 off RRP
    ESP LTD EX-351 - $949 save $350 off RRP
    DIGITECH® GNX-4 GUITAR WORKSTATION (NEW MODEL) - $1449 save $250 off RRP
    DIGITECH® GENESIS 1 GUITAR DESKTOP MODELING - $179 save $150 off RRP
    WARWICK ROCKBASS CORVETTE BASIC - $879 save $220 off RRP
    WARWICK PROFET VI 400 WATT BASS HEAD - $1329 save $370 off RRP
    WARWICK W-410 PRO BASS QUAD BOX - $1199 save $200 off RRP
    BASS GUITAR TAB WHITE PAGES - $50.95 save $9.00 off RRP
    dB PU-120 HANDHELD WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM - $499 NEW LOW PRICE
    SABIAN XS20 18" MEDIUM THIN CRASH - $315 save $40 off RRP
    SABIAN XS20 16" ROCK CRASH - $259 save $36 off RRP
    PRO-MARK NYLON TIP HICKORY DRUMSTICKS - $19.95 pair save $3.00 off RRP
    All prices include GST

    Check out our Specials page for more info on these specials.


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    THIS WEEK'S FEATURE ARTICLE

    This week's feature is not like our ordinary articles or interviews pulled from our site, compliments of taxi.com and others, rather it's one BIG article with a sweet title, "When The 'Writ' Hits The Fan". This big article of which I speak is actually a new book that has been released from an Australian perspective and deals with all the good and bad about this "game" of the music business we like to call an industry. I have personally purchased the book, the electronic edition which is cool and saves you twenty bills on the hard copy version. It's a fascinating read and an eye opener even for an old cynic like me. I'll let the press release tell the rest:
    Music Industry Scandal, Lawsuits & Laughs in New Book "When The Writ Hits The Fan!"
    Groundbreaking and controversial, the new book by 30 year Australian music industry veteran lawyer Phil Dwyer-"When The Writ Hits The Fan!"-is being published in a 308 page print softcover edition and an innovative electronic book available via the Internet. In an industry obsessed with scandal, digital downloading, chart rigging and legal retribution, Dwyer's book looks at a broad range of contentious Australian music business lawsuits, famous out-of-court battles, backroom backstabbing & industry bastardry.


    Check "When The Wirt Hits The Fan" and many other great music business titles offered by industry rep IMMEDIA HERE. If you're in the industry, particularly if playing original music and looking to make a quid without being ripped off, then you absolutely MUST have at least one of these books

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    FEATURED ARTIST - ELSEWHERE

    Pulling influences from other bands such as Good Charlotte, MXPX, MillenColin, Something Corporate, Bon Jovi & Switchfoot, it's been said that diversity is Sydney band Elsewhere's strength and their ability to swing from melodic slow rock to fast energetic punk makes the show more enjoyable for anyone whose willing to hear them out.

    Fresh from the Blackstump Music Festival on NSW's South Coast the band have finished most of the work for their "Access Denied" CD to be released very soon.

    Check out the group's website HERE to learn more about the band and download a track from their first release for a taster of what's to come on their sophomore effort.
    Also check out the link there to Enigmatic Studios, a web design team who specialise in band sites. The Enigmatic site is a new site with merely a contact on there at this stage. Use the contact if you want some help with your site from those in the same game as yourself.

    Each week's Feature Artist is selected from the Band Links page, so get on and list your favourite group at the Band Link page and they could be the Feature Artist at bmusic.com.au.

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    MUSICIANS WANTED

    Our 'Musicians Wanted' pages are getting more and more listings every week with musicians from across the country (and the globe) looking for singers and instrumentalists of all types.
    Get on over to Musicians Wanted to see all the new listings. Check back regularly as new listings are received almost every day.

    There are two simple sections at the FREE Musicians Wanted pages. 'Musicians Wanted by Bands' and 'Bands Wanted by Musicians'. If you fit one of these categories click HERE to see if there is a candidate to fit the bill. If not, then send us your new listing and we'll have it up inside a day. Just be sure to let us know if you fill the vacancy so we can remove it from the page.

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    GEAR WANTED

  • MusicMan Guitar Amplifier
    Single 12" preferred but anything considered.

  • Yamaha KX-88 Keyboard
    Customer in Sydney after the above, any help mucho appreciated!

  • Ibanez Series 10 Pedals:
    Pretty short and to the point request from a bloke without the ability to type capitals on his keyboard it would appear :)
    "i'm looking for ibanez series 10 pedals most of all the ph10 bi mode phaser"
    Let us know if you can help.

  • Guitar promo catalogues:
    A good friend of ours here at bmusic is after any old catalogues from days gone by. At the moment he's particularly keen to get a hold of any Washburn catalogues from the late '70's. Those that feature the Washburn Wing Series of basses and guitars would be of particular interest.

  • A New South Welshman is keen to get his hands on a nice priced Ibanez RG, anything from the 270 up with a Wizard II neck. Pickups can be stock or otherwise. Let us know if you have something that may suit and we'll pass it on.

  • Any Yamaha RGX212's lying idle in your basement. Let us know as our subscriber snapped the neck on his weapon of choice and is in need of another.

  • Second-hand saxes, clarinets and flutes. We are looking for good quality, good condition, saxophones, clarinets and flutes to help out those parents who are a little dubious about their child's level of commitment to their chosen instrument and, subsequently, don't want to spend a bomb on what might turn out to be a fad. If you or your kids have taken up the horn but chucked it in, don't take it to Cashies. Brands like Yamaha, Yanigasawa, Selmer, Buescher etc. are always welcome at bmusic.


  • Marshall JCM800's. That's right, we STILL want 'em. JCM800 2203 and 2204 models. Mainly after heads but will consider combos.


  • If there's something you've been trying to get your hands on, let us know and we will list it here for you. You never know.

    If you spot something in the U.S. or Canada you're keen on let us know. We have contacts in those territories who, for a small fee, can act on your behalf in any transactions and make sure you get your stuff safe and sound.

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    BAND LINKS

    Click HERE to visit the Band Links page and be sure to check back regularly to see new listings.
    If you're in a band or are a supporter of any local bands in your area, why not create a link for them on our FREE Band Links page. Each week's Featured Artist is selected from our Band Links pages. List your band and you could be the next bmusic Featured Artist.

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    THE WEEK AHEAD IN MUSIC

  • Events
  • In 1958, at what would become Buddy Holly's last studio session, he recorded, "True Love Ways," "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," "Moondreams" and "Raining in my Heart" with the Crickets in New York.

    In 1961, Bob Dylan completed recording of his self-titled first album for Columbia Records, with final production costs totalling US$400.

    In 1962, twelve-year old Little Stevie Wonder, real name Steveland Morris Judkins, recorded his first single, "Thank you for Loving Me All the Way," for Motown Records.

    In 1964, The Who, then known as the High Numbers, failed to make an impression at an audition with EMI.

    In 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first major show to an audience of 14,500 at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France.

    In 1966, The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first U.S. tour, with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on guitars. After two shows of the tour, Jeff Beck left the group and Jimmy Page took over lead guitar.

    In 1968, Led Zeppelin played its first U.K. show at London's Marquee Club after making its world debut in Scandinavia at the start of the month.

    In 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana during a raid on Ringo Starr's London apartment, where the two were staying.

    In 1969, Led Zeppelin II was released.

    In 1969, Pink Floyd's "Ummagumma" album was released.

    In 1973, the Rolling Stones first hit with a ballad, 'Angie' was released. Rumours abounded at the time that the song was written by Jagger for David Bowie's wife Angela.

    In 1974, Kiss' "Hotter Than Hell" LP was released.

    In 1978, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious attempted suicide at New York's Rikers Island Detention Center while awaiting murder charges over the killing of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

    In 1980, Jefferson Starship's Paul Kantner suffered a brain hemorrhage during a recording session. After 15 days in hospital Kanter was back at work with no ill effects.

    In 1992, Elton John filed a US$35 Million lawsuit in which he claimed the TV tabloid show 'Hard Copy' falsely stated that Elton moved to Atlanta to be near an AIDS treatment center.

    In 1992, Pearl Jam set a US first week sales record by selling 950,000 copies of their second album "Vs.". The record was broken in 1998 by Garth Brooks, that new record beaten in 1999 by the Backstreet Boys.

    In 1993, Catholic churches in San Juan, Puerto Rico opened their doors for the night and urged residents to tie black ribbons on trees to protest Madonna's first concert in the city.

    In 2001, The Who, David Bowie, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, Bon Jovi, Elton John and many, many more raised US$30 million for victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks when they performed at VH1's Concert for New York in Madison Square Garden.

    In 2002, Bobby Keys, touring tenor saxophonist with the 2002 Rolling Stones world tour, filed a lawsuit for malpractice against his dentist in Nashville, Tennessee. Keys claimed the caps the dentist fitted to his teeth in August, 2001, wouldn't stay on. He claimed this prevented him from playing on the last Stones album and from allowing him to join the 2002 Stones tour.

    In 2002, UK band Oasis cancelled a scheduled show for Manila in the Phillipines after warnings from the British government about possible terrorist strikes in the area.

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  • Births In 1926, one of rock 'n' roll's founding pioneers, Chuck Berry.

    In 1941, Manfred Mann.

    In 1942, Elvin Bishop.

    In 1945, Doobie Brothers guitarist Patrick Simmons.

    In 1949, Gary Richrath, guitarist and vocalist for REO Speedwagon.

    In 1953, Heartbreaker Tom Petty was born.

    In 1953, former Go-Go's guitarist Charlotte Caffey was born.

    In 1968, Bob Marley's son Ziggy was born.

    In 1971, Jade Jagger was born to parents Mick and Bianca Jagger at the Belvedere Nursing Home in Paris, France.

    In 1945, Mountain vocalist/guitarist Leslie West.

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  • Deaths In 1974, Mary Woodson, who claimed to be Al Green's girlfriend, shot herself to death in the singer's home. The shooting, which was ruled a suicide, came after she had thrown a pot of boiling grits on Green as he was getting out of the bathtub. Green was treated for first and second degree burns on his back, neck and arms.

    In 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister Cindy and a freelance singer touring with the group were killed when their rented single engine plane crashed in the swamps of Gillsburg, Mississippi.

    In 1978, Maybelle Carter, matriarch of the musical Carter family died at age 69. Maybelle was the mother of June Carter, who became Mrs. Johnny Cash.

    In 1991, Tennessee Ernie Ford died in Reston, Virginia at the age of 72.

    In 1995, 28-year old Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon died of a cocaine overdose in New Orleans. Hoon was also well noted for his backing vocals role on the Guns 'N' Roses hit, 'Don't Cry'.

    In 2002, a 30-year old man died after being stabbed a number of times in the parking lot at a Nelly concert in California. Another man was also stabbed but not fatally. Three men were arrested over the incident.

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    NEWSLETTER SUGGESTIONS

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