Saturday, February 28, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: March 1

1957:  The Everly Brothers signed with Cadence Records and recorded "Bye Bye Love" at the RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

1958:  Buddy Holly started his only tour of the U.K. at the Trocadero at Elephant & Castle in London.
1966:  Gene Clark of the Byrds announced he was leaving the group.  It is not lost on observers that a member of the Byrds declared that he "had a fear of flying", which made it difficult for Gene to tour with the group.
1966:  One day after the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, England closed, hundreds of incensed fans barricaded themselves inside.  Believe it or not, someone actually proposed bulldozing the place to build a subway stop, but the smarter people prevailed and the Club took its proper place as a historic site.
1967:  The Beatles began recording a song John Lennon had been working on--"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds".  They had tried to record the song the previous day in eight hours of recording, but weren't satisfied, and most of the tapes from that session were erased.






1968:  Elton John released his first single "I've Been Loving You" in England.
1969:  In his final years, Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, had more trouble in a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami, Florida.  Feeling that he wasn't getting the attention from the crowd (as if he was the only talented member in the Doors!), Morrison dropped his drawers.  Sad to go out that way.  Morrison was arrested four days later and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent behavior, open profanity and public drunkenness.  He was convicted and sentenced to eight months of hard labor and fled to Paris, France while his lawyer filed an appeal.  Morrison died a little over two years later in Paris at age 27.  (Note:  many websites claim that Morrison was arrested on this date.  Not true.  The concert was March 1; Morrison was arrested on March 5, according to the Doors' official website and the book 'Busted:  Mugshots and Arrest Records of the Famous and Infamous'.) 








                           CCR moved closer to the top...

1969:  Sly & the Family Stone held on to #1 for a third week with "Everyday People".  The former #1 smash "Crimson And Clover" was #2 for the third straight week by Tommy James & the Shondells.  The Foundations had their biggest hit--"Build Me Up Buttercup" while the Doors remained at #4 with "Touch Me".  Many radio stations had that song higher.  CCR moved to #5 with "Proud Mary" while the Turtles continued their hot streak with "You Showed Me".  The rest of the Top 10:  "This Magic Moment" from Jay & the Americans, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles were at #8 with "Baby, Baby Don't Cry", Brooklyn Bridge with "Worst That Could Happen" and Tommy Roe bounced from 25 to 10 with "Dizzy".






         "Sugar On Sunday" helped TJ & the Shondells score a big hit album...

1969:  The White Album by the Beatles registered a ninth week at #1 on the Album chart.  The Soundtrack to "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles was next with Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman in third.  TCB from Diana Ross & the Supremes with the Temptations held on to #4 with the Greatest Hits by the Association right behind.  The rest of the Top 10:  Blood, Sweat & Tears with their great self-titled album, Ball by Iron Butterfly moved from 14 to 7, Crimson & Clover from Tommy James & the Shondells, the farewell album Goodbye from Cream and Iron Butterfly's previous album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was #10.
1970:  Clips of the Beatles performing "Let It Be" and "Two Of Us" aired on The Ed Sullivan Show on television, the final time the group appeared on the show that kickstarted their career.
1972:  John Lennon was granted an extension of his American work visa.  (Note:  some websites claim this occurred on February 29 or March 15.  They appear to be confused with the facts.  The visas for both John and wife Yoko Ono expired on February 29.  Lennon's lawyer had helped the couple get a fifteen-day extension on March 1, which would have expired on March 15.  However, on March 6, Lennon's visa was summarily canceled.  These facts are verified by the book 'The Love You Make:  An Insider's Story of the Beatles' by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.)
1973:  The Robert Joffrey Dance Company premiered Deuce Coupe Ballet, based on the music of the Beach Boys, at City Center in New York City.
1974:  Queen began their first tour as a headline act in England at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
     
                             "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Years Away"...

1975:  Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder was named Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards show at the Uris Theater in New York City.  (Note:  one website claims the awards were presented on March 2, but that was only if one taped the show the night before and watched it on March 2.  According to the official website for the Grammys, the show was on March 1.)












1975:  Olivia Newton-John won the prestigious Record of the Year for "I Honestly Love You" at the Grammy Awards.













1975:  Shirley and Company took over at #1 on the R&B chart with "Shame, Shame, Shame".














1975:  "Poetry Man" by Phoebe Snow was the new #1 on the Adult chart.











1975:  The Eagles were perched at #1 with "Best Of My Love".  Olivia Newton-John was back with "Have You Never Been Mellow" and the Doobie Brothers climbed to 3 with "Black Water".  Frankie Valli had one of his biggest solo hits with "My Eyes Adored You".  The rest of the Top 10:  Grand Funk with their smash "Some Kind Of Wonderful", America was stalled at #6 with "Lonely People", the instrumental "Pick Up The Pieces" from Average White Band was #7, LaBelle rocketed from 17 to 8 with "Lady Marmalade", Stanley, Idaho's Carole King was up to #9 with "Nightingale" and the excellent "Lady" from Styx entered the Top 10.
1977:  Sara Lownds Dylan filed for divorce from Bob Dylan.
1980:  Patti Smith ("Because The Night" from 1978) married Fred "Sonic" Smith, formerly the guitarist for MC5, in Detroit, Michigan.





1980:  Blondie scored their third career #1 in the U.K. with "Atomic", which in the United States became one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, unfortunately.
1980:  The Whispers reached #1 on the R&B chart with "And the Beat Goes On".
1980:  Anne Murray's remake of the Monkees' classic "I'm A Believer" rose to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  It was Anne's eighth career #1 in the genre.
1980:  The Eagles were on fire with their new single, "I Can't Tell You Why", which rose from 60 to 32.







            Pink Floyd with their biggest album since 'Dark Side of the Moon'...

1980:  "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" from Queen remained at #1, holding off "Yes, I'm Ready" from Teri DeSario and K.C.  The Captain & Tennille bowed out with "Do That To Me One More Time" and Dan Fogelberg was up to 4 with "Longer".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Desire" from Andy Gibb, Donna Summer's "On The Radio", Smokey Robinson's great smooth sound with "Cruisin'", Michael Jackson was on his way down to #8 with "Rock With You", the Spinners had their sixth career Top 10 with the medley "Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl" and Pink Floyd had their first and only career Top 10 with "Another Brick In The Wall".






             Rush was making 'Permanent Waves' in the music business...

1980:  The Wall by Pink Floyd was #1 on the Album chart for the seventh week but there was a great #2--Damn the Torpedoes from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.  Off the Wall by Michael Jackson was third followed by another incredible album--Phoenix from Dan Fogelberg.  Rush moved up to join that group with Permanent Waves.  The rest of the Top 10:  Donna Summer with On the Radio-Greatest Hits-Volumes I & II, The Long Run from the Eagles, Kenny by Kenny Rogers was eighth, the Whispers moved into the Top 10 with their self-titled album and Neil Diamond remained in the #10 slot with September Morn.
1986:  The Bangles were in concert at the Queen Margaret Union at Glasgow University in Glasgow, Scotland.






                           The great track "Is It a Crime" from Sade...

1986:  Newcomers Mr. Mister achieved a great feat when Welcome to the Real World reached #1 on the Album chart.  Promise from Sade was still a strong second while the debut from Whitney Houston amazingly was now heading back up after 49 weeks.  Barbra Streisand's former #1 The Broadway Album was fourth and the real undiscovered gem was Scarecrow from John Cougar Mellencamp.  The rest of the Top 10:  Heart and their self-titled release, Starship were at 7 with Knee Deep in the Hoopla, Dire Straits with Brothers in Arms, Afterburner from ZZ Top was #9 and Simple Minds moved to #10 with Once Upon a Time.






1986:  Mr. Mister hit #1 with "Kyrie", knocking off Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know".  Heart had the only new song in the Top 10 with their 19th hit and fifth career Top 10--"These Dreams".










1989:  R.E.M. began a tour at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky.
1989:  Bruce Springsteen's divorce from Julianne Phillips was official.  (Note:  many websites report that the divorce was finalized on December 13, 1988, but the correct date is March 1, 1989, according to 'CNN' and numerous other reputable sources.  Julianne had filed for divorce on August 30, 1988.)
1990:  Janet Jackson set out on her first concert tour at the Miami Arena in Florida.
1991:  Frank Smith from Air Supply died of pneumonia at the age of 42 in Melbourne, Australia.
1991:  The movie The Doors opened in theaters with Val Kilmer playing Doors lead singer Jim Morrison.
1994:  Nirvana performed for the final time at The Terminal Eins (3,000 capacity) in Munich, Germany.
1995:  Bill Berry of R.E.M. suffered a brain aneurysm while performing at the Patinoire Auditorium in Lausanne, Switzerland.





1995:  Bruce Springsteen won Song of the Year, Best Rock Song and Best Male Vocal Performance for "Streets Of Philadelphia" at the Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
1995:  Sheryl Crow won the Grammy for Female Pop Vocal Performance ("All I Wanna' Do") and also captured the Best New Artist award.  Crow is one of the few recipients of the Best New Artist trophy that actually panned out.










1995:  In what is really an amazing story, Tony Bennett won the Album of the Year for his Unplugged.
2002:  Doreen Waddell of Soul II Soul ("Back To Life") died in Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex, England after being hit by three cars while she attempted to cross the street.  Waddell was running from store officials who suspected her of shoplifting.
2003:  Mariah Carey and LL Cool J won Outstanding Career Achievement honors at the Soul Train Music Awards.  Nelly, Ashanti, Musiq and B2K received two awards each.
2004:  WEA (Warner Brothers, Elektra and Asylum Records) used to be a powerhouse.  Then the Time corporation bought it and renamed it Time Warner.  On this date, Time Warner sold the Warner Music Group like somebody's garage sale item to an investment group.  WMG at this point still included Madonna, Metallica, Faith Hill and others.
2005:  It wouldn't be a normal day without an episode of Inmates Run Rap Music and on this date, Lil' Kim went on trial for perjury.  She was arrested for lying to a grand jury which was investigating a shooting in 2001 between her rap crew Junior M.A.F.I.A. and fellow rapper Foxy Brown's crew.  Raise your hand if you think rap is taking us backwards.
2006:  Johnny Jackson, a family cousin and drummer of the Jackson 5, was stabbed to death at his home in Gary, Indiana at age 54.
2009:  Never heard it put this way in a song but on this date, Kelly Clarkson had the #1 song with "My Life Would Suck Without You".

Born This Day:

1927:  Harry Belafonte ("The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)") was born in Harlem, New York.  (Note:  some websites claim Belafonte was born in New York City, but according to the newspaper 'The New York Times', he was born in Harlem.)
1939:  Warren Davis of the Monotones was born in Newark, New Jersey.
1943:  Jerry Fisher, who took over as lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears after David Clayton Thomas left, was born in Dekalb, Texas.





1944:  Roger Daltrey, lead singer of the Who, was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England.  (Note:  some websites list Daltrey's birthplace as London, while others say he was born in Hammersmith, or Hammersmith, London.  According to the Who's official website, Roger was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England.  Hammersmith is a borough of London--Shepherd's Bush is a suburb of London located in the county of London.)
1944:  Mike D'Abo, songwriter and lead singer of Manfred Mann, was born in Betchworth, Surrey, England.








1958:  Nik Kershaw, who wrote songs for Elton John and Bonnie Tyler among others, was born in Bristol, England.
1963:  Rob Affuso, drummer of Skid Row, was born in Newburgh, New York.
1973:  Ryan Peake, guitarist of Nickelback, was born in Brooks, Alberta, Canada.
 1987:  Kesha ("Tik Tok" from 2009) was born in Los Angeles. Our sympathies to you, Los Angeles.
1994:  Justin Bieber was born in London, Ontario, Canada.  And our sympathies to you, London.

Calendar* Clarification: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was heard on the radio program Top Gear several times, but the first broadcast was March 23 on BBC Radio.  Some websites report that the group recorded  "Dazed And Confused", "Communication Breakdown", "I Can't Quit You Baby" and "You Shook Me" for the program at Stains, England (Stains-upon-Thames), which is about 37 kilometers, or 23 miles, from London.    According to the book Led Zeppelin:  The 'Tight But Loose' Files by Dave Lewis, as well as BBC Session notes, the show was recorded at the Playhouse Theatre in London.

Friday, February 27, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: February 28

1962:  In a precursor to industry changes later, WINS in New York City, which featured disc jockey Murray the K, switched formats from Top 40 to Easy Listening and changed its call letters to WHN.
1970:  Led Zeppelin had to perform as the group the Nobs in Denmark after the family of the late airship designer Ferdinand von Zeppelin in that country threatened a lawsuit.
1970:  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel had become a mass-appeal smash.  The song that would become a classic took over on the Adult chart on this date.






              "The Midnight Special" the way only CCR could do it...

1970:  Led Zeppelin II was #1 on the Album chart for a seventh week while previous #1 Abbey Road by the Beatles was still at #2 after 20 weeks and CCR edged up with Willy and the Poorboys.  The "stop the presses" news, however, was news that Simon & Garfunkel moved from 106 to 4 in just the third week of release for the album Bridge Over Troubled Water.  The rest of the Top 10:  Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas, the self-titled Engelbert Humperdinck, Chicago II was up to #7, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, Three Dog Night with their album Was Captured Live at the Forum and the Soundtrack to "Easy Rider" moved from 19 to 10.
1970:  Here was a hot song--Edison Lighthouse jumped from #68 to #28 with "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)".




1970:  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel wasted no time to get to #1--just four weeks, one of the shortest times to get there of the Rock Era thus far.  It debuted at #49 on February 7, moved to 13, to 3 and now to #1.  









1972:  Due to its popularity in the movie Play Misty for Me, Roberta Flack re-released the single "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".  (Note:  some websites report that the song was released March 7, 1972.  It debuted on the Singles chart on March 4.  It is physically impossible for a song to debut on the Singles chart if it has not been released as a single yet.  The song was originally included on Roberta's 1969 album 'First Take'.













1972:  Jackson Browne released the single "Doctor My Eyes".








Give Ireland back to the Irish by Paul McCartney & Wings/Paul McCartney & Wings on Grooveshark
1972:  Paul McCartney and Wings released the song "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" to protest the Bloody Sunday Massacre in Northern Ireland.  The song was banned by the BBC.
1974:  Bobby Bloom died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in Hollywood, California now considered accidental, at age 28.
1976:  Stanley, Idaho's Carole King had the only new album in the Top 10--Thoroughbred, which vaulted from 16 to 10.
1976:  "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon was the new #1 song on the Adult chart.







1976:  "The Theme From 'S.W.A.T.'" by Rhythm Heritage was the talk of the land as the new #1 song and one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*.  They bumped Paul Simon out of the limelight while the new Miracles song without Smokey Robinson--"Love Machine" moved up to become a factor.  Eric Carmen's first solo hit "All By Myself" was fourth.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Four Seasons (they had changed their name from a numeral to the word Four by now) continued their comeback by moving from 12 to 5 with "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)", "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate was losing its power, the hot Eagles were up to #7 with their latest--"Take It To The Limit", former Spooky Tooth member Gary Wright powered from 18 to 8 with "Dream Weaver", the Captain & Tennille had their third straight Top 10 to open their career with "Lonely Night (Angel Face)" and Nazareth scored their only Top 10 song--"Love Hurts".




1978:  The Atlanta Rhythm Section released the song 'Imaginary Lover".  (Note:  some websites naively report that the song was released on March 5.  It is physically impossible for a song to be released to radio stations, listened to and added by radio stations, reported to the trade papers, and printed and published by the trade papers, all in the same day.  The song debuted on the charts March 5, and, as people in the business know, a song must be reported added to a radio station's playlist by the close of business hours on Tuesday to be included in the trade papers that Friday ('Radio & Records') or Saturday ('Billboard').)
1981:  Yarbrough & Peoples took advantage of an opening and moved to #1 on the R&B chart with "Don't Stop The Music".
1981:  Listeners heard the new song "Just The Two Of Us" by jazz great Grover Washington, Jr. with Bill Withers on vocals and loved it--the song rose from 65 to 41 on this date.







                  ABBA with one of their most emotional songs...

1981:  Eddie Rabbitt enjoyed a big crossover hit as "I Love A Rainy Night" moved to #1.  Dolly Parton fell with "9 To 5", John Lennon was now at #3 with "Woman" and Kool and the Gang's former #1 "Celebration" was still strong after 19 weeks.  The rest of the Top 10:  REO Speedwagon and "Keep On Loving You", Styx with "The Best Of Times", Blondie's former #1 "The Tide is High" was now at #7, Delbert McClinton was at #8 with "Giving It Up For Your Love", Dan Fogelberg with "Same Old Lang Syne" and ABBA reached the Top 10 for just the fourth time (What a joke, America) with "The Winner Takes It All".
1981:  Dolly Parton enjoyed a #1 Adult Contemporary hit with "9 to 5".





1984:  Michael Jackson won a Rock Era record eight Grammy awards for his work on Thriller.












1984:  Chuck Berry received a Lifetime Achievement Aaward at the Grammys, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.  (Note:  usually an artist's official webpage is the authority, but Chuck's wrong on this one.  That website and numerous others claim Berry received his Lifetime Achievement Award on February 26, 1985.  The correct date is February 28, 1984, according to the official website for the Grammy Awards, and the newspaper 'The New York Times', which printed a recap of the awards, including Berry's Lifetime Achievement Award, on March 1, 1984.)
1987:  "Ballerina Girl" notched a fourth week at #1 on the AC chart for Lionel Richie.  It was Richie's 47th week at #1 as a solo artist in the genre.




       
In a Different Light by Bangles on Grooveshark          
             The Bangles' amazing sound captured on 'Different Light'...

1987:  Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi was still #1 on the Album chart for the eighth week after 25 weeks of release.  Cinderella had the top album of their career with Night Songs at #3.  Other notable albums in the Top 10:  The Way It Is from Bruce Hornsby & the Range at #4, Control from Janet Jackson was still at #6 after a full 52 weeks, Genesis was right behind her with Invisible Touch, the Bangles were still in the Top 10 after 57 weeks with Different Light and Fore!, the great follow-up album by Huey Lewis & the News, was 10th.         





 
    
     Somewhere out there, we tuned in our radios and heard Linda and James...

1987:  Not only was "Livin' On A Prayer" the breakthrough hit that Bon Jovi needed, with a third week at #1, but it was on its way to becoming one of The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era*.  "Jacob's Ladder" by Huey Lewis & the News moved to challenge.  Other notable songs in the Top 10:  "Will You Still Love Me?" from Chicago, the Jets were at #5 with "You Got It All", "Somewhere Out There" by Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram became Linda's ninth Top 10 hit and former Genesis member had another Top 10 with "Big Time".





I'll Be There for You by Bon Jovi on Grooveshark
1989:  Bon Jovi released the single "I'll Be There for You".  (Note:  some websites erroneously list the single release as April 4. 
1991:  The famous Record Plant in Hollywood, California closed.  Thankfully, a new owner took over, refurbished it in 1993, and the studios are still open today.  Hotel California by the Eagles, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, Boston's debut album, Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder and the Soundtrack to "An Officer And A Gentleman" are just some of the albums recorded there.






1991:  "Curtis Mayfield Day" was celebrated in Los Angeles.











                      The Spice Girls were back and as big as ever...

1998:  The Soundtrack to "Titanic" was #1 on the Album chart after six weeks with the Celine Dion release Let's Talk About Love right behind.  Yield from Pearl Jam lost ground while Sevens, the new album from Garth Brooks, moved from 24 to 4.  The "Spiceworld" Soundtrack from the Spice Girls placed fifth while the self-titled Savage Garden still had plenty of steam. The rest of the Top 10:  My Way from Usher, the debut by the Backstreet Boys, Matchbox 20 was at #9 after 50 weeks with Yourself or Someone Like You and K-Ci & JoJo found the Top 10 with Love Always.
2002:  In today's two-part edition of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, C-Murder was indicted with second degree murder after a shooting at a nightclub.  The monster was convicted by a jury by a 10-2 margin.
2002:  Mya, Lil' Romeo, Darius Rucker, India.Arie, Keb' Mo' and Carmen Electra recorded a song to benefit the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.
2003:  Linda Suffoletto, who was hospitalized after the nightclub fire in Rhode Island started by the pyrotechnics in Great White's show there, bacame the 97th casualty.  Sixty people remained hospitalized after the incident.
2005:  In today's second episode of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, 50 Cent told a radio station in New York that The Game had been dropped from people he associated with.  The Game tried to get into the station to talk with 50 cent (small "c' intentional), shots were fired and a man was injured.  There's a place for people like this--it has bars and often not much of a view.
2005:  The circus that was the child molestation trial of Michael Jackson began in Santa Maria, California.  Jackson was cleared of all charges.

2005:  Chris Curtis, drummer of the Searchers, was found dead in his home in Liverpool, England at the age of 63.
2006:  Two security guards were shot at a Kanye West concert in Birmingham, West Midlands, England by a fan trying to gain admittance without a ticket.  Has the disease crossed over the Atlantic now?
2008:  Mike Smith, lead singer of the Dave Clark Five, died of pneumonia in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England at age 64.
2008:  Ian Anderson, flautist of Jethro Tull, was given the Order of the British Empire medal from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in London.
2010:  Neil Young performed at the closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Born This Day:'
1921:  Saul Zaentz, industry executive who signed Creedence Clearwater Revival to Fantasy Records, was born in Passaic, New Jersey; died January 3, 2014 from complications of Altzheimer's disease.


1940:  Joe South ("Games People Play" and "Walk A Mile In My Shoes"), who also wrote "Rose Garden" for Lynn Anderson and "Hush" for Deep Purple, was born in Atlanta Georgia; died September 5, 2012 of a heart attack in Buford, Georgia.  (Note:  'Allmusic.com' lists his place of death as Flowery Branch, Georgia, and other websites show Atlanta, Georgia, but more credible sources, such as the newspaper 'The Los Angeles Times', 'Huffingtonpost.com', the book 'Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012' by Harris M. Lentz III and 'Billboard' report that Joe died in Buford.)

 







1942:  Brian Jones (real name Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones), founder and guitarist of the Rolling Stones, was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England; was found motionless in the bottom of his swimming pool and pronounced dead on July 3, 1969.
1944:  Bernadette Peters (real name Bernadette Lazzara, who had the hit "Gee Whiz" in 1980), was born in Queens, New York.  (Note:  some websites claim Peters was born in New York City, but according to her official website, she was born in Queens.)
1944:  Barbara Acklin ("Love Makes A Woman") was born in Oakland, California; died November 27, 1998 of pneumonia in Omaha, Nebraska.  (Note:  some websites report that Acklin was born in Chicago, Illinois.  She was born in Oakland, then later moved to Chicago, according to the book 'Encyclopedia of Pop Music Aliases, 1950-2000) by Bob Leszckak and other reliable sources.)
1947:  Marty Sanders (real name Marty Kupersmith) of Jay & the Americans.  (Note:  some websites report that he was born in 1947, but according to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, as well as the book "Stars of David:  Rock'n'roll's Jewish Stories' by Scott R. Benarde, Marty's birth year was 1941.)
1952:  Edward Manion, saxophonist of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, who has also played for Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi
1957:  Ian Stanley of Tears for Fears, and a producer, was born in Bath, England.
1957:  Philip Gould, songwriter, drummer and singer of Level 42, was born in Hong Kong, China.
1957:  Cindy Wilson, vocalist and songwriter of the B-52's, was born in Athens, Georgia.





1969:  Pat Monahan, lead singer and songwriter of Train, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. (Note: 'Allmusic.com' and other websites report that Monahan was born in Erie, while other websites state that he was born in Waterford, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, there are no credible sources for either birthplace, but our best information indicates that Monahan was born in Erie.)

Calendar* Correction: Eddie Money

Some websites claim that Eddie Money was born on March 2.  Those people are missing a digit (among other things); according to Money himself on his official website, he was born March 21 in Brooklyn, New York.

Calendar* Clarification: Tony Meehan

One of the most popular early groups of the Rock Era in the U.K. was the Shadows, and you will see several websites such as the habitually inaccurate Allmusic.com claim that drummer Tony Meehan was born on March 2, 1942.  More credible sources such as the English newspapers The Guardian and The Independent state that Tony was born in 1943.)

Thursday, February 26, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: February 27



1961:  Del Shannon released the single "Runaway".



















1961:  The Marcels released the single "Blue Moon".








 


1961:  This woman first entered the charts with her first career single "Won't Be Long".  Little did we know it, but she would go on to have 77 hits and become the Queen of Soul--Aretha Franklin.
1961:  Chubby Checker had his second #1 with "Pony Time".  Lawrence Welk had to take a bow with "Calcutta" while the Capris moved to #3 with "There's A Moon Out Tonight".  The big story was Elvis Presley, who moved from 24 to 4 with "Surrender".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Don't Worry" from Marty Robbins, the Shirelles moved up with "Dedicated To The One I Love", Connie Francis had her 22nd hit with "Where The Boys Are", the Miracles' #2 song "Shop Around" was on its way down, the Everly Brothers moved from 18-9 with "Ebony Eyes" and the String-A-Longs remained stuck at 10 with "Wheels".
1965:  Herman's Hermits, Del Shannon and Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders began a U.K. tour at City Hall in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.




1965:  "My Girl" by the Temptations was #1 on the R&B chart for a fourth straight week.  
1965:  "King Of The Road" by Roger Miller topped the Easy Listening chart for a third week.  
1965:  The Supremes' latest ("Stop  In The Name Of Love") was behaving the way several from the trio before had--moving from 80 to 41.
1966:  The Supremes were guest stars on the television show What's My Line.








 1968:  Frankie Lymon died from drugs in Manhattan, New York at the age of 25.  (Note:  some websites claim that Lymon died on February 28.  The newspaper article in The New York Times that reported the death was dated February 28, but it plainly says that Lymon "died yesterday" (February 27).  Newspaper articles are printed the day following news, and the February 27 date is confirmed by the gravestone pictured above.)
1971:  The Carpenters collected their third straight #1 on the Adult chart with "For All We Know".









If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot on Grooveshark             
                                 Lightfoot sings his first big hit...


1971:  "One Bad Apple" by the Osmonds remained at #1 for a third week.  "Mama's Pearl" by the Jackson 5 was #2 although most radio stations didn't have it that high.  Dawn went down with their former #1--"Knock Three Times" while Lynn Anderson dropped with "Rose Garden" and Gordon Lightfoot remained in the #5 position with "If You Could Read My Mind".  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  "Sweet Mary" from Wadsworth Mansion, Jerry Reed had a big hit with "Amos Moses", the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and "Mr. Bojangles" and Janis Joplin moved from 25-10 with the posthumous release "Me And Bobby McGee".







          
                                                 "Mercedes Benz"...


1971:  Pearl moved to #1 on the Album chart by the late Janis Joplin.
1976:  Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, checked into a hospital in New York City with a respiratory infection. 
1977:  Keith Richards, guitarist of the Rolling Stones, was charged with possession of heroin (22 grams) with the intent to sell and possession of cocaine (5 grams) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.









1978:  Jefferson Starship released the single "Count on Me".










1978:  George Benson released his remake of the Drifters' hit "On Broadway".







 


1980:  Billy Joel had officially arrived--he won the Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for 52nd Street.










What a Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers on Grooveshark
1980:  The Doobie Brothers were at their career peak as "What a Fool Believes" won both Record and Song of the Year honors at the Grammys.











1980:  Rickie Lee Jones was named Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards show at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.










           Journey's "Open Arms" outlasted all of its competition...

1982:  The J. Geils Band remained at #1 for a fourth week with "Centerfold" while "Open Arms" by Journey, which was #1 at many stations, moved up to #2.  Hall & Oates were on the way down with "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" with the Cars at #4 with "Shake It Up".  The rest of the Top 10:  "That Girl" from Stevie Wonder, Air Supply's new one--"Sweet Dreams" was sixth, Quarterflash and "Harden My Heart", Juice Newton was going the wrong way with "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)", Joan Jett & the Blackhearts had all the right signs as "I Love Rock 'N Roll" moved from 18 to 9 and Dan Fogelberg closed the list with "Leader Of The Band".
1988:  "She's Like The Wind" by Patrick Swayze and Wendy Fraser moved to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.






         The great lead singer Paul Carrack kept one for himself...

1988:  George Michael scored his third #1 solo hit with "Father Figure".  The Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield were passed over and they screamed "What Have I Done to Deserve This?"  Patrick Swayze and Wendy Fraser moved from 7-3 with "She's Like The Wind" and Rick Astley made a strong move with "Never Gonna' Give You Up".  The rest of the Top 10:  Eric Carmen's "Hungry Eyes", former #1 "Seasons Change" from Expose, Foreigner with "Say You Will", Belinda Carlisle was back in the Top 10 with "I Get Weak", Paul Carrack had a solo hit with "Don't Shed A Tear" and Glorida Estefan & Miami Sound Machine moved up with "Can't Stay Away from You".






 
 


1990: Wilson Phillips released the single "Hold On".
1990:  Here's what Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli had to say in Time Magazine:  "Musically, we're more talented than any Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney.  Mick Jagger can't produce a sound.  I'm the new Elvis."  There's appropriate places for people like this where others can care for them.
1991:  James Brown was given parole after serving in prison near Columbia, South Carolina for two years of a six-year sentence.  Brown had led police on an interstate car chase.









I Will Always Love You (The Bodyguard) by Whitney Huston on Grooveshark
1992:  Whitney Houston set a new Rock Era record with "I Will Always Love You" as it was the #1 song for the 14th week, breaking a tie with "The End Of The Road" from Boyz II Men.  The song still is tied as the second-longest running #1.














1996:  Alanis Morissette released the single "Ironic".
1999:  Britney Spears had the #1 U.K. song with "...Baby One More Time".
2000:  The movie The Beach Boys was televised on ABC.







2001:  The Dave Matthews Band released the album Everyday.







2001:  Carlos Santana was given the key to his hometown of Autlan, Mexico in quite a celebration.  The street Avenue Carlos Santana was named after him, and a statue was unveiled as well.
2002:  Jennifer Lopez had the #1 album with the remix package J to tha Lo!  
2004:  Bobby Brown was sentenced to 60 days in jail for violating terms of his probation.  Brown refused to take a drug test, did not pay court-supervision fees on time and couldn't prove he had completed his substance-abuse rehabilitation program.
2004:  A judge in Chicago, Illinois dismissed seven of the 21 child pornography charges against R. Kelly.  Meaning he did not dismiss 14 of them.  Kelly's lawyers' best defense was that the charges of soliciting a minor to appear in a sex tape were based on a law that wasn't in effect yet.



 2005:  Nelly and Tim McGraw teamed up for the #1 U.K. song "Over And Over".
2007:  Bobby Brown was sentenced to 30 days in jail for failing to pay $19,000 in unpaid child support.  A warrant for Brown's arrest was issued in October, 2006 after the deadbeat failed to show up at a hearing for overdue child support for Kim Ward, the mother of two of his children.  When you make the mistake of being with someone like Bobby Brown, you end up paying for it for the rest of your life.  So ladies, the moral of the story is:  try to find someone the exact opposite of Bobby Brown.
2010:  U2 made twice as much money from touring, record sales and royalties than anyone else in 2009, with a haul of $109 million.  Bruce Springsteen brought in $58 million, followed by Madonna with $47 mil and AC/DC with $44 mil.
2011:  Randy Newman won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards for "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3.
2013:  Richard Street, member of the Temptations, died of pulmonary embolism in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 70.






 
Born This Day:
1948:  Eddie Gray, guitarist of Tommy James & the Shondells, was born in Scottsdale, Pennsylvania.
1950:  Robert Balderrama of ? & the Mysterians ("96 Tears")








1954:  Neal Schon, elite guitarist with Santana and Journey   (Note:  some websites say he was born in San Mateo California, or Midwest City, Oklahoma, or Midland City, Oklahoma.  Some sources say that Schon's official website shows he was born on Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, although a check of it shows no such information.  Since there are no credible sources at this time as to his birthplace, we will leave that blank for now.)










1957:  Adrian Smith, elite guitarist of Iron Maiden, was born in Hackney, East London.







1959:  Johnny Van Zant, lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the brother of former lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and the founder of .38 Special Donnie Van Zant, was born in Jacksonville, Florida.  
1960:  Paul Humphreys, lead singer and co-founder of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ("If You Leave"), was born in London.








1971:  Chilli (real name Rozonda Thomas) of TLC was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Note:  some websites say she was born in Columbus, Georgia.  While there are no credible sources of either city being her birthplace, our best information indicates that she was born in Atlanta.)
1972:  Jeremy Dean, saxophone and keyboard player of Nine Days









1981:  Josh Groban was born in Los Angeles.