bmusic - Newsletter No. 250

In 1956, Cleveland, now the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, invoked a 1931 law barring people under 18 from dancing publicly without an adult guardian.

In 1956, Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" became the King's first top-10 single in the U.S.

In 1957, Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded "That'll Be the Day" at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico, after weeks of rehearsal. The record, released under the Crickets' name, was Holly's first million-seller, topping both North American and British charts.

In 1961, Frank Sinatra unveiled his own recording label, Reprise. Although Sinatra didn't have a very high regard for that "rock & roll music", the label went on to release recordings by The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix and many more classic acts.

In 1961, Elvis Presley played a charity concert in Memphis, his first performance since being discharged from the US Army almost a year earlier.

In 1963, The Beatles formed their Northern Music Publishing Company, the publishing company now owned by Michael Jackson and what is rumoured to be the only thing keeping his head just above water amidst all the troubles he's currently experiencing, both fiscal and otherwise.

In 1968, George and Patti Harrison and John and Cynthia Lennon flew to India for two months of transcendental meditation study with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Ringo and Maureen Starr, Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Mia Farrow and Donovan joined the fun three days later. Within a fortnight the whole lot had returned to England, blaming the spicy food for their premature departure from India.

In 1968, U.S. city Atlanta, Georgia declared February 16th Aretha Franklin Day.

In 1968, Guitarist Dave Gilmour joined Pink Floyd replacing founder Syd Barrett. Barrett checked into a psychiatric hospital before going into seclusion. He continues to lead a life of seclusion to this day.

In 1969, the Beatles premiered their song "Let It Be" in a film clip shown on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. After the Experience broke up, Hendrix formed Band of Gypsies.

In 1969, singer Lulu and Bee Gee Maurice Gibb were wed at St. James' Church, Gerrard's Cross, Buchs, England.

In 1969, Florida woman Vickie Jones was arrested for impersonating Aretha Franklin during a concert. Her act was so convincing that nobody at the venue at which she was performing, supposedly as Franklin, asked for a refund.

In 1970, Black Sabbath's self-titled first LP was released.

In 1971, Alan David Pasaro, the Hell's Angel who was tried and later acquitted for the stabbing death of Meredith Hunter at the Altamont Speedway in 1969, sued the Rolling Stones, charging an invasion of privacy because the Maysles brothers' film of the event, "Gimme Shelter," showed the stabbing.

In 1972, country star Merle Haggard was pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan. Haggard had served time in San Quentin in the late 1950s for attempted burglary.

In 1972, Led Zeppelin was forced to cancel a concert in Singapore when officials wouldn't let the band off of the plane because of their long hair.

In 1972, Pink Floyd began a 4-night stand at London's Rainbow Theater during which they premiered "The Dark Side of the Moon" a full year before it was released as an album.

In 1974, Cher filed for divorce from Sonny Bono after 10 years of marriage.

In 1974, Elton John released "Bennie and the Jets."

In 1974, KISS released their debut self-titled album. The album barely cracked the Hot 100. It would take the band three more attempts to establish itself.

In 1975, John Lennon released "Rock n' Roll," his final album before a self-imposed five year exile from the music business.

In 1976, the Eagles "Greatest Hits" became the first LP in the US to be certified platinum - two-million copies sold.

In 1976, one-time Tower of Power lead singer Rich Stevens was arrested and charged in the murders the previous night of three men in San Jose, California. Police believed the reason was drugs. Stevens and another were found guilty on two counts of murder that November.

In 1977, Warner Bros. released Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours." The album was recorded in Los Angeles when the two couples (John and Christine McVie & Linsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks) were breaking up.

In 1977, bassist Sid Vicious joined the Sex Pistols, replacing Glen Matlock.

In 1978, ex-Sex Pistol bass player Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen were arrested by police in their room at New York's Chelsea Hotel and charged with drug possession.

In 1979, the Sex Pistols and their manager, Malcolm McLaren, went to court to divide the band's earnings. It was revealed that only $60,000 of the group's $1.5-million gross was left. Three weeks before the court action began, a member of the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, died of a heroin overdose while awaiting trial on a charge of murdering his girlfriend.

In 1980, punk rocker Patti Smith married Fred Smith, former leader of the hard rock band MC5, in Detroit.

In 1980, Bill Wyman announced he would leave the Rolling Stones in 1983. He was persuaded not to and stayed another nine years, eventually leaving in 1992.

In 1982, Pat Benatar and her guitarist, Neil Geraldo, were married on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

In 1984, Hollywood's Gold Star Recording Studios, where the Beach Boys and Phil Spector made most of their famous recordings, was closed. The building was eventually demolished to make room for a shopping plaza.

In 1984, singer Michael Jackson won a record eight Grammy Awards at the presentation ceremony in Los Angeles. But he lost the best song award to "Every Breath You Take," written by Sting for the Police. Jackson's Pepsi commercial - the one in which he was injured when his hair caught fire - premiered that day on MTV.

In 1985, rock singer David Crosby bolted from a drug treatment centre during his first supervised exercise period. He was recaptured the next day.

In 1985, Mick Jagger released his first solo album, "She's The Boss" featuring appearances by Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend and Vernon Reid (who went on to become a member of the band Living Color).

In 1986, Van Halen released "Why Can't This Be Love," their first single since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as lead singer. It would rise to number three on the Billboard chart.

In 1986, the British pop duo Wham! announced they were breaking up. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley said they were going their separate ways after selling more than 30-million copies of such hits as "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper" and "Edge of Heaven."

In 1986, "We Are the World," the charity anthem by an all-star rock choir, won four Grammy Awards, including song and record of the year. Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson wrote the song, which was recorded by 45 celebrities. The record raised more than 33 million dollars for African famine relief.

In 1987, a spokeswoman for bandleader Lawrence Welk said some Welk fans who bought his "Polka Party" compact disc ended up with the punk rock soundtrack to the movie "Sid and Nancy." The Welk Enterprises office in Los Angeles fielded several telephone calls from upset fans. The CD's apparently were mislabelled at the factory in Japan.

In 1988, a 12-year old Hollywood, Florida, Motley Crue fan set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the group's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body.

In 1989, G.G. Allin, lead singer of the Toilet Rockers, defecated on stage and tossed the results into the audience at a Milwaukee nightclub. Allin admitted to police he took a dump on stage but said he didn't "think enough came out to bother anybody." He was convicted more than two years later of provoking a disturbance, describing the jury as "a bunch of narrow-minded, robotic puppets of society" who looked like his "dead grandmother."

In 1989, Sebastian Bach, the Toronto-born lead singer of the heavy metal band Skid Row, spent the night in jail in Hampton, Virginia for using abusive and violent language on stage. He was released after paying a $35 fine.

In 1990, Ike Turner was sentenced to 4 years in prison on cocaine charges.

In 1991, James Brown was parolled in Columbia, South Carolina after serving 15 months of a six-year-term for leading police on a chase through South Carolina and Georgia.

In 1991, Gloria Estefan made a triumphant return to performing after a career-threatening injury in a bus accident the previous March. She opened a comeback tour with an energetic show before 12,000 people in Miami. Estefan's recovery from a broken back astounded medical experts, who at one point thought she might not even be able to walk.

In 1992, Natalie Cole's single and album "Unforgettable" captured seven Grammy awards, including best album, best record and best song.

In 1992 at the Grammy awards, Bryan Adams won for best song written specifically for a motion picture or television - for "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" from"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves."

In 1992, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love married.

In 1992, Vince Neil quit as lead singer of Motley Crue, after 11 years with the group.

In 1993, British rock legend Eric Clapton, who had been virtually ignored in the Grammy Awards for most of his career, won six Grammys, including the music industry's three major awards - record, album and song of the year. Clapton was honoured for his album "Unplugged," and the song "Tears in Heaven." Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" as a tribute to his infant son Conor, who died in 1991 when he fell out a window in Clapton's 53rd floor New York apartment.

In 1995, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Pamela Anderson on a beach in Cancun.

In 1995, Led Zeppelin bandmates Robert Plant and Jimmy Page began their reunion tour in Pensacola, Florida. They played plenty of Zeppelin classics but ignored the audience's shouts for "Stairway to Heaven."

In 1995, Beach Boys Mike Love and Brian Wilson reunited for the first time in 15 years to work on two new songs at Love's home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The reconciliation came two months after Love and Wilson settled their long-running legal battle over the songwriting credits on 35 of the group's songs.

In 1996, rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and a bodyguard were found not guilty of first-degree murder. The jury were deadlocked on voluntary manslaughter charges and a mistrial was declared.

In 1996, Elton John was made a Commander of the British Empire in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He was honored for services to the music industry and charity.

In 1996, London police arrested singer Jarvis Cocker of the group Pulp for allegedly attacking three children performing on stage with Michael Jackson at the Brit Awards. Cocker admitted he walked on stage but denied he touched any children.

In 1997, a New York judge dismissed a US$7 million lawsuit a fan filed against Motley Crue for hearing loss suffered at one of their concerts. The judge said the fan knew the concert would be loud going into it.

In 1997, 44 people were hurt when a light tower collapsed during a Deep Purple concert in Santiago, Chile. The show resumed after about 40 minutes.

In 1997, Celine Dion won two Grammy Awards for "Falling Into You" - album of the year and best pop album. At the time, "Falling Into You" had sold more than 21 million copies worldwide.

In 1997, Marion (Suge) Knight, the head of Death Row Records, was sentenced in Los Angeles to nine years in prison after he violated his parole on a 1992 assault conviction. Knight was involved in a fight at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas on September 7th, 1996 in which a group of assailants, including rapper Tupac Shakur, pummelled a suspected gang member. Shakur was fatally wounded a few hours later as he sat in a car driven by Knight.

In 2003, the Station Nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island burned to the ground after pyrotechnics set fire to staging during a Great White performance. 100 people were killed in the inferno.

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Births In 1904, Glenn Miller, the man whose name is synonymous with the big band era of the 1940s, was born in Clarinda, Iowa.

In 1917, singer Dinah Shore was born in Winchester, Tennessee.

In 1927, singer Harry Belafonte was born in New York City. Belafonte's debut album, "Calypso," released in 1957, is said to be the first LP by a solo artist to sell a million copies.

In 1929, Antoine (Fats) Domino, the New Orleans r'n'b pianist who has sold more than 65-million records, was born in the Louisiana city. He is the biggest-selling '50s rock 'n' roll artist, with the exception of Elvis Presley.

In 1932, country singer Johnny Cash was born in Kingsdale, Arkansas.

In 1933, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono was born.

In 1935, the late Sonny Bono.

In 1942, Peter Tork, bassist with the Monkees.

In 1942, singer Gene Pitney.

In 1943, George Harrison, former lead guitarist for the Beatles, was born in Liverpool, England. His first project after the Beatles broke up in early 1970 was a three-record set, "All Things Must Pass," which contained the number-one single, "My Sweet Lord." Harrison was later successfuly sued for 'subconsciuos plagarism of The Chiffons 1963 hit "He's So Fine". Not the best start to a solo career :) )
In 1971, Harrison sponsored and was the host for two benefit concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York for the people of Bangladesh. The concerts, a documentary film and a Grammy Award-winning three-record set earned more than 10 million dollars, which was donated to UNICEF after a lengthy delay caused by legal problems. Harrison had another number-one hit in 1973 with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)," and his tribute to John Lennon, "All Those Years Ago," made it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. Harrison's 1987 comeback album "Cloud Nine," was a big hit, as was the single "Got My Mind Set On You." Harrison died after a lengthy battle with cancer on November 29th, 2001.

In 1944, Paul Jones, lead singer for the 1960's British group, Manfred Mann, was born in Portsmouth, England. Manfred Mann topped North American charts in 1964 with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy." Paul Jones left the Manfred Mann after their 1966 hit, "Pretty Flamingo."

In 1944, Mick Avory, drummer for The Kinks.

In 1946, Jerome Geils, guitar player for the J. Geils Band.

In 1947, British pop vocalist Sandie Shaw.

In 1947, Dennis DeYoung of Styx.

In 1948, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.

In 1949, Jerry Harrison, keyboardist and guitarist with the Talking Heads.

In 1950, Boudleaux Bryant who wrote many hit songs, including "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, was born.

In 1950, former Genesis frontman, now solo act Peter Gabriel.

In 1951, Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor.

In 1950, singer/bass player for Steely Dan, Walter Becker.

In 1953, singer Michael Bolton, whose real name is Michael Bolotin.

In 1953, Robbie Bachman, drummer with Bachman Turner Overdrive.

In 1957, Adrian Smith, guitarist with the heavy metal group Iron Maiden, was born in England. Named after the medieval torture device, Iron Maiden is a direct descendant of such groups as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

In 1957, singer Cindy Wilson, formerly of the B-52's.

In 1957, Ian Stanley, formerly of Tears For Fears.

In 1957, Stuart Wood, guitarist with the '70s teenybopper group the Bay City Rollers.

In 1960, Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

In 1967, the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.

In 1972, Green Day singer/guitarist Billie-Joe Armstrong.

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Deaths In 1965, Nat "King" Cole died of complications following surgery for lung cancer. He was 48 years old.

In 1968, Frankie Lymon, who fronted the 1950's group the Teenagers died of a heroin overdose in New York City. He was 25. Lymon was just 13 in 1955 when he and the Teenagers sold two-million copies of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love." But two years later the group had ceased to exist. Their big hit was revived in 1981 by Diana Ross.

In 1970, pop singer Bobby Bloom shot himself through the head with a derringer in his motel room in Hollywood, California. It was never determined whether the shooting was accidental or deliberate.

In 1976, former Supreme Florence Ballard died of coronary thrombosis in Detroit. Despite being an original member of the premiere female vocal trio she lived on welfare her last few years after losing a US$8.7 million suit for back royalties against Motown Records in 1971. Florence Ballard was 32 years old.

In 1980, Bon Scott, born Ronald Belford Scott, lead singer of AC/DC, died in London at the age of 33. The band had been on tour in London when Scott choked on his own vomit after an all-night drinking binge. His death came just months after the band scored its first big American success with the album, "Highway To Hell."

In 1982, Jazz great Thelonious Monk died after a long illness. He was 64 years old.

In 1984, Ethel Merman died of natural causes at the age of 75.

In 1985, David Byron, lead singer of the British hard rock band Uriah Heep, died at the age of 38.

In 1987, rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, who played with the Count Basie orchestra for 50 years, died in Los Angeles at the age of 75. He had played his last engagement the previous night in Las Vegas with singer Tony Bennett.

In 1988, Peter Chatman, the blues pianist known as Memphis Slim, died in Paris at the age of 72. Chatman wrote the standard "Every Day I Have the Blues," and helped spread blues music throughout the world. Memphis Slim had lived in Paris since 1961, but returned frequently to the US to perform.

In 1989, Roy Eldridge, one of the great innovators of the jazz trumpet, died in New York at the age of 78. His death came only three weeks after that of his wife of 53 years.

In 1990, Cornelius Gunter, lead singer for the Coasters, was shot to death in Las Vegas. He was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car after being shot twice in the head.

In 1990, 1950's balladeer Johnnie Ray died in Los Angeles of liver failure at age 63. Ray's biggest hit was his double-sided 1951 million-seller - "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried." He was known as the "Prince of Wails" for his raw and emotional style, which some say paved the way for rock 'n' roll.

In 1991, Webb Pierce, one of the biggest country stars of the 1950's and early '60s, died in Nashville at age 65. The official cause of death was heart failure but he also suffered from pancreatic cancer. Pierce's high-pitched nasal voice was featured on three number-one hits in 1955 - "In the Jailhouse Now," "Love, Love, Love" and "I Don't Care." He also recorded the original version of the Everly Brothers' hit "Bye, Bye Love."

In 1993, Toy Caldwell, who formed the Marshall Tucker Band with his brother Tommy in 1971, was found dead in his home in Moore, South Carolina. He was 45. Caldwell's sparkling lead guitar was featured on seven gold and two platinum albums for the southern rock band. Their biggest single hit was "Heard It In a Love Song," which made the Top 15 in 1977. Caldwell left the Marshall Tucker Band in 1985 for a solo career.

In 1994, composer Walter Kent, who wrote the Second World War anthem "The White Cliffs of Dover," died in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills. He was 82. Kent had never seen the famous chalk cliffs when he wrote the song, which Vera Lynn recorded and made into a symbol of hope and resistance for Allied soldiers.

In 1994, Dinah Shore, star of radio, TV, records and movies, died in Beverly Hills, California, of cancer. She was 76.

In 1995, Bob Stinson, a founding member of The Replacements, died in Minneapolis of complications from drug and alcohol abuse.

In 1996, Walter Brownie McGhee died at the age of 80 from stomach cancer. McGhee did "Living With The Blues" and "Baseball Boogie" and worked extensively with Sonny Terry.

In 1998, songwriter Bob Merill suicided. He wrote many hits including "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?" and Barbra Streisand's "People".

In 2000, pedal steel player Gary Boggs. Boggs founded country group Southern Mix and Hank Williams Jr., Connie Smith, George Jones and Vern Gosdin.

In 2000, Live manager Peter Freedman died of acute bronchial pneumonia complicated by staph infection at the age of 39.

In 2001, Theophilus Beckford, credited as the originator of ska by many, was stabbed during an altercation in Jamaica.

In 2001, John Fahey, known as the Godfather of New Age guitar, died after undergoing open heart surgery. Fahey established the Takoma Records label and had worked with Leo Kottke, Jo Ann Kelly, Skip James and Sonic Youth. He wrote the book, "How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life".

In 2002, Daniel Pearl, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal was officially reported as dead after being kidnapped by terrorists in Pakistan. It's believed Pearl's captors murdered him between January 29th and January 31st, 2002.
Pearl played fiddle, bass and keyboards for The Ottoman Empire and Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band.

In 2002, comedian Spike Milligan died at the age of 83 from organ failure. Milligan was a member of the legendary Goon Show and, in addition to being an accomplished trumpet and cornet player, he was a sought after guitarist, prior to his army service in WWII, and was featured on piano on most of the Goons musical recordings.

In 2002, Do'Reen ( Doreen Waddell ) was killed when she was struck by three cars whilst crossing a highway! Waddell was a singer who had worked with Soul II Soul and KLF.

In 2003, Great White guitarist Ty Longley was killed in the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The fire was caused by the band's pyrotechnics. 100 people were killed in the inferno.

In 2003, bassist Keith Mancini died in The Station night club fire. He was a member of Nightfall, Skyhigh and Fathead, the opening act for Great White on that night. His cousin, Steven Mancini also died in the fire.

In 2003, a member of Fathead who opened The Station nightclub show for Great White, Steve Mancini, was killed in the fire. His wife Andrea was also killed.

In 2003, Scott Griffith, guitarist and songwriter who had played for Nightfall, Jagged Edge and Step Child, was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

In 2003, composer, guitarist and songwriter for Shryne, Nicky O'Neill was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

In 2003, drummer for Ball And Chain Dale Latulippe was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island

In 2003, drummer and sound technician Jeff Rader who toured with Great White, Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper died in The Station nightclub fire.

In 2003, folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Tom Glazer died at the age of 89. Glazer worked with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Josh White. His songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Perry Como and The Kingston Trio.

In 2003, Jack Maher, publisher of the famed jazz magazine Downbeat for more than 30 years, dies of natural causes at the age of 78.

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