bmusic - Newsletter No. 235

In 1946, banjoist Earl Scruggs first recorded with Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. His three-fingered picking style became one of the trademarks of bluegrass music.

In 1952, Frank Sinatra left Columbia Records after nine years and more than 400 recordings. Continued disputes with Columbia's head of A & R led to Sinatra's departure and subsequent signing to Capitol, for who he recorder the label's first LP in 1953.

In 1955, Capitol Records released what it claimed was the world's shortest record, Les Paul's "Magic Melody, Part Two." It consisted of exactly two notes.

In 1966, the Beatles were awarded a gold record in the US for their "Yellow Submarine" album.

In 1967, the Doors performed "Light My Fire" on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Sullivan had requested that lead singer Jim Morrison delete the line, "Girl, we couldn't get much higher," but Morrison refused.

In 1969, Deep Purple recorded "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The work was composed by Deep Purple' keyboards player, Jon Lord. The album failed to sell.

In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band made a surprise live debut at the Rock n' Roll Revival Concert in Toronto, Canada. The band, which included Eric Clapton on guitar, recorded the concert for the live album, "Live Peace in Toronto."

In 1970, James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain' was released.

In 1970, Jim Morrison of the Doors was acquitted in Miami on charges of "lewd and lascivious" behavior but was found guilty of indecent exposure and profanity.

In 1971, Peter Frampton quit Humble Pie to pursue his solo career.

In 1972, police discovered marijuana growing on Paul and Linda McCartney's English farm.

In 1974, Gary Thain, then bass guitarist for Uriah Heep, suffered a near-fatal electric shock during a concert in Dallas, Texas. Thain later complained that the other band members didn't care what happened to him, and early in 1975 was invited to leave the group. Thain died of a drug overdose six months later - on March 19th, 1976.

In 1975, Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" single was released in the US.

In 1979, what is generally considered to be the first rap record, "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, was released. The release sold two-million copies and record companies labeled the style a fad.

In 1979, a fire in California's Hollywood Hills destroyed 24 homes, including those of singer-actress Mackenzie Phillips and British bluesman John Mayall.

In 1984, the first annual MTV Video Music Awards took place at New York's Radio City Music Hall with hosts Dan Ackroyd and Bette Midler. Herbie Hancock took top honours at the inaugral ceremony.

In 1987, Morrisey parted ways with The Smiths to pursue his solo career.

In 1990, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks both announced they were leaving Fleetwood Mac. Two years later the pair reunited with Fleetwood Mac to perform at the inauguration of Bill Clinton. Another four years later they again reunited for an MTV Unplugged special which culminated in a Number One album and extremely successful supporting tour.

In 1991, Alice Cooper sold copies of his then new record, "Hey Stoopid" for ninety-nine cents in New York's Times Square.

In 1991, Michael Jackson performed an uncredited voice-over on an episode of "The Simpsons". He provided the voice for a white mental patient who thinks he's Michael Jackson.

In 1992, Eric Clapton's "MTV Unplugged" album was released, going on to earn him a Grammy award and worldwide sales of close to 10 million units.

In 1994, a recording made by John Lennon on the day he met Paul McCartney sold at a London auction for the equivalent of about $160,000 Australian. EMI Records bought the five-minute recording that had sat in a bank vault for more than 30 years. Lennon's group, the Quarrymen, recorded "Baby Let's Play House" and "Puttin' on the Style" on July 6th, 1957, at a church social in Liverpool. Lennon was 16 years old at the time.

In 1995, Jarett Cordes of the rap duo PM Dawn was arrested in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, on charges he had sex with a 14 year-old female cousin.

In 1995, Paul McCartney's hand written lyrics for "Getting Better" sold for US$249,000 at a Sotheby's auction.

In 1996, Oasis abruptly canceled its U.S. tour two-thirds of the way through it. The band said the cancellation was due to "internal differences".

In 1996, Tupac Shakur's video "I Ain't Mad," which depicts the rapper being shot as he leaves a nightclub, premiered on MTV five days after he died of gunshot wounds in a Las Vegas hospital.

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Births In 1903, Roy Acuff, the King of Country Music, was born in Maynardsville, Tennessee. He died on November 23rd, 1992 in Nashville.

In 1923, Hank Williams, country music's most influential performer, was born in Mount Olive, Alabama. Williams couldn't read or write music, but among his compositions are many classics of popular song - "Cold, Cold Heart," "Jambalaya," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Hey, Good Lookin'." Williams's "Lovesick Blues" was the top country record of 1949. That year, he joined the Grand Ole Opry, receiving an unprecedented six encores in his debut performance. But Williams's perpetual drunkenness led to his being fired from the Opry in August 1952. Four months later, on January 1st, 1953, Williams died of heart failure in the back seat of his Cadillac while being driven to a concert in Canton, Ohio. He was 29.

In 1925, B.B. King was born Riley B. King in Indianola, Mississippi.

In 1925, jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd.

In 1928, jazz alto saxophonist Julian (Cannonball) Adderley, was born in Florida. Adderley suffered a stroke and died on August 8th, 1975.

In 1939, former teen idol Frankie Avalon.

In 1940, former Righteous Brother, Bill Medley.

In 1940, singer/songwriter Paul Williams.

In 1941, Blood, Sweat & Tears vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.

In 1941, Les Braid, bass guitarist '60s British group the Swinging Blue Jeans.

In 1943, Les Emmerson, lead singer of the Canadian rock group Five Man Electrical Band, was born in Ottawa.

In 1944, former Chicago (the band, not the city) singer Peter Cetera.

In 1946, original Status Quo drummer, John Coglan.

In 1947, singer and guitarist Lol Creme, formerly of 10 CC.

In 1948, Kenny Jones, drummer for the Who, was born in London. Jones joined the Who after the original drummer, Keith Moon, died of a sedative overdose on September 7th, 1978. Jones had previously played with the Faces.

In 1949, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gaines was born. He died in the 1977 plane crash that also claimed the lives of two of his bandmates. Those killed were Steve's sister and backing singer Cassie Gaines, fellow guitarist Ronnie Van Zant, and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

In 1952, Gerry Beckley, vocalist for America.

In 1952, one of the world's premier drummers, Neil Peart of Rush.

In 1952, Dee Dee Ramone of the punk rock group the Ramones.

In 1953, jazz guitarist Earl Klugh.

In 1963, singer Richard Marx.

In 1963, Joey Tempest of Swedish glam-metal act Europe.

In 1964, country singer Trisha Yearwood.

In 1965, Ringo and Maureen Starr welcomed their son Zak into the world.

In 1969, Candy Dulfer, the saxophonist who played alongside the Eurythmics David A. Stewart on the hit instrumental "Lily Was Here".

In 1972, wildman and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.

In 1973, singer Jeremy Jordan.

In 1976, singer/songwriter Fiona Apple.

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Deaths In 1948, Vernon Dalhart, whose 1924 recording of "The Prisoner's Song" was the biggest-selling non-Christmas record of the pre-rock 'n' roll era, died at the age of 65. Dalhart recorded "The Prisoner's Song" for no less than 28 labels under numerous pseudonyms. Total sales of all versions were estimated at 25-million copies.

In 1968, country singer Red Foley died in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 58.

In 1973, arranger and conductor Hugo Winterhalter died of cancer in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was 64.

In 1973, 30-year old singer/songwriter Jim Croce was killed in a plane crash. He was on his way to a concert in Sherman, Texas when the twin-engine plane he was on hit a tree on takeoff. All on board were killed.

In 1973, singer, songwriter and guitarist Gram Parsons, a pioneer in the country-rock movement of the late 1960's, died at a motel in the California desert of a heart attack brought on by drug abuse. He was 26 years old.
In a bizarre twist to the story - Before his body could be transported to New Orleans for the funeral, it was stolen by Parsons's manager, Phil Kaufman, and another man. The two took the body back to the desert and burned it. It turned out that Parsons had asked to be cremated. Nonetheless, the two men were charged with theft and fined $300 each.

In 1977, South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko died at age 30. Peter Gabriel later wrote his classic song, "Biko" about the tireless activist.

In 1977, Marc Bolan, leader of the British band T. Rex, died in a car crash in London at the age of 28. The car was driven by Gloria Jones, an American singer with whom Bolan was living.

In 1983, jazz and salsa percussionist Willie Bobo died of cancer at the age of 49. Bobo was also a regular on the first Bill Cosby television show.

In 1987, Jaco Pastorius, bassist/singer for Word of Mouth and Weather Report, was beaten to death by a nightclub bouncer while trying to enter a club in a 'disheveled' condition. Patorius had also played for Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Joni Mitchell.

In 1991, Rob Tyner, lead vocalist for the influential 1960's hard rock band MC5, died in Detroit of a heart attack at age 46.

In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur died in a Las Vegas hospital, five days after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting on the city's casino strip. He was 25.
Shakur was hit by four bullets as he rode in a car driven by the head of Death Row Records, Marion (Suge) Knight, who suffered a minor wound. Neither he nor anyone in Shakur's entourage of at least 10 cars provided any leads to investigators.
Police say another car carrying four people pulled up beside Knight's vehicle, and one person opened fire, riddling the car with more than a dozen bullets. The suspects' car then took off - as did several vehicles in Shakur's convoy. No one was ever charged.
Shakur was one of rap music's most notorious and successful artists, selling millions of copies of such albums as 'All Eyez on Me' and 'If I Die 2Nite'. He also had numerous troubles with the law, serving time for assault, weapons violations and sex abuse.
Two months after Shakur's death, a witness to the Las Vegas shooting was gunned down in a housing project in Orange, New Jersey. Yafeu Fula was a member of Shakur's backup group, the 'Outlaws Immortalz'. He was in the car behind Shakur when the rapper was shot.

In 1997, blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon died in Los Angeles at age 74.

In 1997, contemporary Christian singer Rich Mullins died in a traffic accident near Lostant, Illinois, southwest of Chicago. Mullins was run over by a truck after being ejected from an out-of-control ute.

In 1997, the son of romance author Danielle Steel, Nickolas John Steel Traina, died of an apparent suicidal drug overdose. Nickolas was the singer for Link 80 and Knowledge.

In 2000, Bob Geldof's ex-wife and then Michael Hutchence's partner Paula Yates died of an accidental heroin overdose.

In 2001, Billy Hilfiger, brother of fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger, died of cancer. He had worked with former members of Blue Oyster Cult and his other brother, Andy Hilfiger.

In 2001, prolific Australian promoter Darryl Sambell died of lung cancer. He had managed Bev Harrell, John Farnham, Zoot, The Masters Apprentices, Daryl Somers and many more as well as working as a concert promoter. Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1945, Sambell passed away while living on the Gold Coast. He'd returned to Australia from New Zealand where he had spent many years working as a promoter and manager.

In 2003, Australian country music legend Slim Dusty passed away at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer. 105 albums and 36 Golden Guitars, an extraordinary career, well documented at the Official Slim Dusty Website. Slim sold over six million records, was the first Australian to earn a Gold record, the first Australian to have an International hit, and the first singer in the world to have his music beamed to Earth from space. Whether you are a fan of country music or not you have got to respect the mans work rate and the effect his music has had on this country's music industry.

In 2004, punk Legend Johnny Ramone passed away after a five year battle with prostate cancer. Johnny, aged 55, passed away in his sleep in his L.A. home, surrounded by friends and family. He founded The Ramones in 1974 with Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone and Tommy Ramone. After Johnny's death Tommy was the only surviving founding member of The Ramones.

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