bmusic - Newsletter No. 220

In 1896, in England, Guglielmo Marconi was awarded the first radio patent. He had succeeded the previous year in sending longwave radio signals over a distance of about two kilometres. And in 1897, Marconi formed a wirless telegraphy company to develop its commercial applications. In 1901, Marconi succeeded in sending the letter "S" across the Atlantic from Cornwall, England to a receiving station in St. John's, Newfoundland. (Where it was met by a MMM Black Thunder!)

In 1956, Gene Vincent's recording of "Be Bop A Lula" was released. The song was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, selling a million copies. Vincent never was able to match the success of his initial hit. He died in 1971 of a seizure brought on by a bleeding ulcer.

In 1961, Chuck Berry opened his Berry Park, an outdoor amusement complex in Wentzville, Missouri, near St. Louis. It included a miniature golf course, rides and a children's zoo.

In 1964, David Bowie, under his real surname Jones, released his first record, "Liza Jane." It was not a hit.

In 1967, "The Monkees" TV show won an Emmy award for outstanding comedy series.

In 1967, the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album was released in Britain. At the time the album was one of the most ambitious and technically advanced undertaken. With producer George Martin the band spent 700 hours recording on a then state-of-the-art four track recorder, layering tracks atop one another. The recording cost around AUD$140,000 at the time. The album is estimated to have sold more than 20-million copies worldwide.

In 1970, Kinks' lead singer Ray Davies made an 11,000km round trip from New York to London to change one word on the recording of "Lola." The reference to "Coca Cola" became cherry cola because the BBC bans commercial references in songs.

In 1971, more than 30 Grateful Dead fans at a San Francisco show by the group were treated for hallucinations after consuming an apple drink spiked with LSD without their knowledge.

In 1975, the Rolling Stones became the first artists to receive record royalties from the Soviet Union when copyright laws there were changed. Until then, the Soviets had made no payment to any artist for work released or used in that country.

In 1976, the Who played a concert at the Charlton Athletic Grounds in England that went into the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the loudest show ever - 120 db. The record has since been broken - many times!

In 1977, London police arrested 11 people after breaking up a floating Sex Pistols concert on the Thames River. The concert, held on a boat named the "Queen Elizabeth," came at the height of the Queen's Silver Jubilee festivities.

In 1979, bluesman Muddy Waters, who was 64, married 25 year old Marva Jean Brooks. Eric Clapton was a guest at the wedding.

In 1982, after leaving the political rock group the Clash, drummer Topper Headon was arraigned in London for stealing a bus stop sign and receiving stolen stereo equipment.

In 1982, the Rolling Stones played an unannounced show at the 100 Club in London. It was at the 100 Club that the Sex Pistols started the punk rock movement about six years earlier.

In 1986, charges were filed in Los Angeles against the lead singer of the punk rock band The Dead Kennedys and four others in connection with a sexually explicit poster packaged with the group's album, "Frankenchrist." Eric Boucher, who used the stage name Jello Biafra, and the others were charged with distributing harmful material to minors. They were acquitted.

In 1987, George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" was banned by the BBC and numerous US radio stations. Michael said the song was about love, not lust.

In 1987, Michael Jackson broke all ties with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

In 1988, former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin was sentenced in Detroit to two years probation and 50 days of community service after being convicted of using cocaine. Ruffin died of a drug overdose in Philadelphia on June 1st, 1990.

In 1989, Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman, age 52, married 19 year old Mandy Smith in a secret ceremony in the eastern English town of Bury St. Edmonds. Wyman's son and the bride's sister were the only guests. The couple divorced in 1991 after Wyman said they had spent only five days together as man and wife. Wyman agreed to an $1,000,000 divorce settlement.

In 1989, Atlantic Records' New York studio, where artists such as Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin made some of their classic albums, closed because of problems with a new landlord. The new owner of the building said other tenants were complaining about the noise.

In 1990, Michael Jackson was taken to hospital in Santa Monica, California after complaining of chest pains. Tests showed he suffered bruised ribs after a vigorous dance practice in his bedroom.

In 1990, a judge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, declared "As Nasty as They Wanna Be" by 2 Live Crew to be obscene. A record store owner was charged two days later for selling the hit rap album. An appeals court overturned the judge's decision two years later.

In 1990, Midnight Oil closed down a New York City street whilst performing at a protest concert in front of the Exxon oil company offices on 6th Avenue. The protest was in response to the Exxon Valdez oil disaster.

In 1991, British police seized 23,000 copies of an album (Efil4zaggin) by American rappers NWA from Polygram Records. The raid took place after a warrant was issued under the Obscene Publications Act. A judge cleared the album for release five months later.

In 1993, Mariah Carey married her boss, Sony Music president Tommy Mottola. Among the celebrities in attendance were Robert DeNiro, Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel and his then wife Christie Brinkley. Carey and Mottola separated in 1997.

In 1996, Neil Finn, leader of Crowded House, announced the group was breaking up after 10 years. He made the announcement in London during the band's final British show.

In 1996, a show by Metallica in the parking lot of Tower Records in San Jose, California drew 10,000 fans. The resulting traffic jam and overworked police officers left the record store, the promoter and the band's record company facing charges of disturbing the peace, obstructing traffic and failure to get a permit.

In 1997, the body of singer Jeff Buckley was pulled from the Mississippi River in Memphis, six days after he jumped into the city's harbor. Buckley, who was 30, was in Memphis to record an album for Columbia. He was the son of folk singer Tim Buckley, who died of a drug overdose in 1975 at age 28.

In 1997, Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher married girlfriend Meg Matthews in a private ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple had previously called off wedding plans in London after being besieged by the media. Gallagher's brother Liam, who had married actress Patsy Kensit in secret earlier in the year, did not attend the Las Vegas ceremony.

In 1997, Iggy Pop suffered a separated shoulder when he dived from the stage of the Polaris Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio. He hit the ground after the audience failed to catch him.

In 2002, American R&B star Robert "R." Kelly was arrested at his Florida residence after being indicted on 21 felony counts of child pornography.

In 2002, fifteen years after his death, master classical guitarist Andres Segovia was taken back to his hometown as he wished. Segovia's remains were exhumed from the Madrid cemetery where he originally was buried and taken to Linares in Jaen province, the heart of Spain's olive-growing region.

In 2005, that poxy "Crazy Frog" ringtone thing beat out Coldplay's new single to be Number 1 in the UK charts upon it's release as a single.

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Births In 1857, English composer Sir Edward Elgar was born. Music composed in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee brought him public recognition. Elgar's most popular works are his five "Pomp and Circumstance" marches, composed between 1901 and 1930. Elgar died in 1934.

In 1926, singer Bill Hayes was born in Harvey, Illinois. He had a number one hit in 1955 with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," outselling a version by Fess Parker, star of the Disney movie. Coonskin hats were big that year.

In 1934, pop singer Pat Boone was born in Jacksonville, Florida. At his peak in the late 1950's, Boone was considered a clean cut, parent approved alternative to Elvis Presley.

In 1940, singer Tom Jones was born in Pontypridd, Wales. After building a reputation in London clubs, Jones was offered a recording contract in 1964. His first records weren't successful, but in 1965 he achieved international success with "It's Not Unusual," a song written by his manager, Gordon Mills.

In 1941, Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts was born in London. Watts joined the Rolling Stones in January 1963, about six months after the group was formed. He was working in an advertising agency at the time, but had earlier played with Alexis Korner's Blues Incoporated, as had other members of the Stones.

In 1942, Curtis Mayfield, a driving force in black music as singer, writer, producer and record company owner, was born in Chicago. Mayfield formed the Impressions in the late 1950's with singer Jerry Butler.

In 1944, guitarist Clarence White of the Byrds was born in Lewiston, Maine. After appearing as a session musician on recordings by such artists as Rick Nelson, the Everly Brothers and the Byrds, he became a permanent member of the Byrds in 1968. In July of 1973, White was killed by a drunken driver in Lancaster, California, while he was loading equipment on to a van following a concert.

In 1946, John Paul Jones, bass player with heavy metal pioneers Led Zeppelin, was born in Sidcup, England. Jones had met Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page in 1968 when they played with folk singer Donovan on his album "Hurdy Gurdy Man."

In 1946, Ian Hunter, former lead vocalist and guitarist with Mott the Hoople.

In 1946, Fred Stone, guitarist with Sly and the Family Stone.

In 1947, Mick Box, lead guitarist with Uriah Heep.

In 1947, guitarist Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones was born in London. A veteran of the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Wood was chosen by the Stones to replace Mick Taylor in 1974.

In 1948, John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, was born in Redditch, England. By 1975, their album and concert ticket sales had made Led Zeppelin the most popular rock band in the world. Their final album was in 1979. A year later, John Bonham died at Jimmy Page's home in Windsor, England. After drinking and falling asleep, he choked to death.

In 1950, Antone (Chubby) Tavares of the Tavares family group.

In 1950, rock singer Suzi Quatro.

In 1950, Graham Russell, co-founding member of Australian group Air Supply.

In 1954, Michael Steele, bass guitarist with the Bangles.

In 1954, Nicko McBain, drummer with the heavy-metal band Iron Maiden.

In 1955, pop singer Joey Scarbury, whose recording of "Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It or Not)" went to number two in 1981.

In 1959, Tony Hadley, singer with Spandau Ballet.

In 1959, Alan Wilder, keyboardist with Depeche Mode.

In 1960, rock guitarist Steve Vai.

In 1968, Australian singer Merril Bainbridge.

In 1970, B-Real, real name Louis Freese, of the Latino rap trio Cypress Hill.

In 1971, rapper, singer and actor Marky Mark, whose real name is Mark Wahlberg.

In 1974, the Avril Lavigne of the 1990's, Alanis Morissette. i.e. Female solo artist who releases almost every song on an album as a single, thereby ensuring she's on commercial radio every friggin' time you turn it on for more than a year.

In 1993, Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea saw the birth of their daughter, Stephanie Ross.

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Deaths In 1948, blues singer Sonny Boy Williamson was killed during a robbery in Chicago. He was 34 years old. He was the first of two singers to perform under the name. Williamson was a major influence on later blues harp players, such as Little Walter and Junior Wells.

In 1973, Murray Wilson, father of three of the Beach Boys, died of a heart attack at age 55. He had a good deal to say about their early careers, managing the band and negotiating their first contract with Capitol Records in 1962.

In 1977, Alice Cooper's pet boa constrictor was fatally bitten by a rat it was being fed for breakfast. Cooper held a public audition in Century City, California a week later to find a replacement for the snake, which was featured in his act.

In 1980, Carl Radle, bass player with Derek and the Dominoes died at the age of 37 from a chronic kidney ailment.

In 1984, Nate Nelson, lead singer of the doo-wop group the Flamingos, died at age 52. In 1962, three years after leaving the Flamingos Nelson joined the Platters.

In 1987, Andres Segovia, the world's foremost classical guitarist, died at his home in Madrid at the age of 94. Segovia is credited with establishing the guitar as a concert instrument. He was one of the few classical guitarists to earn a gold record for sales of an album.

In 1987, bandleader Sammy Kaye, whose trademark in the 1940's and '50s was "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye," died of cancer at the age of 77. His band scored major hits with "Daddy" in 1941, "There Will Never Be Another You" in 1942 and "Harbor Lights" in 1950.

In 1990, Stiv Bators, former lead singer of the Dead Boys punk band, died in Paris after being struck by a car. He was 40. Bators founded the group in Cleveland in 1976, and they soon moved to New York to become part of the scene at the legendary punk club CBGB.

In 1991, jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, who helped popularize bossa nova music in North America, died of cancer at his home in Malibu, California. He was 64. His showcase was the song "Early Autumn."

In 1991, a birthday party for Damian Hall of the R'n'B group Guy was marred by the killing of Hall's bodyguard. A gunman pumped four bullets into 26 year-old Larry Glover before walking through the crowd and out the door of the New York nightclub where the celebration was being held. The shooting occurred about three metres from Eddie Murphy, who was one of the guests.

In 1991, former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin died in Philadelphia of a cocaine overdose at age 50.

In 1993, country superstar Conway Twitty died in a Springfield, Missouri, hospital at age 59. He was on his way home to Hendersonville, Tennessee, from a concert in Branson, Missouri, when he collapsed on his tour bus. A blood vessel had ruptured in his stomach, and he died of complications after surgery.

In 1997, jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham died in Washington, DC following a stroke. He was 91. Among the many jazz greats Cheatham performed or recorded with over his seven decade career were Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Count Basie.

In 1997, Ronnie Lane, bass guitarist and co-founder of the Small Faces, died of multiple sclerosis at his home in Trinidad, Colorado. He was 51. Lane helped put together the Small Faces in London in 1965.

In 1998, former WWF wrestler Junkyard Dog (real name Sylvester Ritter) died in a car accident. Born in 1952 Ritter performed the rock song "Grab Them Cakes" for the WWF release The Wrestling Album.

In 1999, former Bob Marley and the Wailers member Junior Braithwaite was shot and killed.

In 1999, Mel Torme (Melvin Howard Torme) The Velvet Fog, died of complications from a stroke he suffered in 1996.

In 2002, Dee Dee Ramone, a founding member of the pioneer punk band the Ramones, was found dead of a drug overdose at the age of 49. He was discovered by his wife, Barbara Zampini, on the couch of their Hollywood home.

In 2002, former RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby (Robbinson Lance Crosby) died of a heart attack due to AIDS. Crosby was 42 years old.

In 2003, English producer Mickey Most died of cancer at the age of 64. As a musician Most was a member of The Playboys and The Most Brothers. Throughout his career Most worked with Jeff Beck, The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Hot Chocolate (producing their classic "You Sexy Thing"), Lulu, Kim Wilde, The Animals (responsible for production on their massive hit "House Of The Rising Sun"), The Yardbirds, Herman's Hermits (produced their biggest "I'm Into Something Good" and Donovan, amongst many others.

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