Saturday, October 31, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: November 1

1955:  The Famous Flames, led by lead singer James Brown, recorded their first demo, singing "Please, Please, Please" at a radio station in Macon, Georgia.


1960:  Elvis Presley released the single "Are You Lonesome Tonight".


Friday, October 30, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 31

1952:  26 year-old Chuck Berry was hired as a guitarist in Johnnie Johnson's band playing evening gigs in St. Louis, Missouri.  Berry kept his job as a hairdresser for the next three years.
1959:  The Quarrymen changed their name to Johnny and the Moondogs.

Hits List: Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin was one of the many stars of the Rock Era to die well before their time.  Darin, who had several health issues, died of heart failure on December 20, 1973 at the age of 37.  But Bobby gave us one of the all-time classics, The #28 Song of the Rock Era* in "Mack The Knife", as well as the Top 10's "Dream Lover", "Splish Splash", "If I Were A Carpenter", "Beyond The Sea" and many others.  Here is the complete Hits List* for Darin:

1958:  "Splish Splash" (#3)
           "Early In The Morning" (#24)
           "Queen Of The Hop" (#9)
1959:  "Plain Jane" (#38)
           "Dream Lover" (#2)


           "Mack The Knife" (#1 for 9 weeks)
1960:  "Beyond The Sea" (#6)
           "Clementine" (#21)
           "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey (#19)
           "I'll Be There" (#79)
           "Beachcomber" (#100)
           "Artificial Flowers" (#20)
           "Somebody To Love" (#45)
           "Christmas Auld Lang Syne" (#51)
           "Child Of God" (#95)
1961:  "Lazy River" (#14)
           "Nature Boy" (#40)
           "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" (#5)
1962:  "Irresistible You" (#15)
           "Multiplication" (#30)
           "What'd I Say (Part 1)"--#24
           "Things" (#3)
           "If A Man Answers" (#32)
           "Baby Face" (#42)
           "I Found A New Baby (#90)
1963:  "You're The Reason I'm Living" (#3)
           "18 Yellow Roses" (#10)
           "Treat My Baby Good" (#43)
           "Be Mad Little Girl" (#64)
1964:  "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" (#93)
           "Milord" (#45)
           "The Things In This House" (#86)
1965:  "Hello, Dolly!" (#79)
1966:  "Mame" (#53)
           "If I Were A Carpenter" (#8)
1967:  "The Girl That Stood Beside Me" (#66)
           "Lovin' You" (#32)
           "The Lady Came From Baltimore" (#62)
           "Darling Be Home Soon" (#93)
1969:  "Long Line Rider" (#79)
1973:  "Happy" (#67)

That is a total of 41 hits for Darin, with 9 Top 10 songs and the #1 smash "Mack The Knife".

Phil Collins Planning A Comeback

Like any musical genius, it is probably tough to announce a retirement and stick with it.

As leader of Genesis and a solo superstar, Phil Collins was one of the most successful individuals of the 1980s.  Collins, who announced his retirement from the music business 10 years ago, is recovering in Miami, Florida from major back surgery.  But now, Collins says he wants to record and tour again.

Collins' last studio album of new material was Testify in 2002, which he supported with a tour.  Since then, however, Collins has only appeared on a brief Genesis reunion tour in 2007 and the 2010 Motown covers album Going Back in 2010. 

Collins, who is moving a studio into his home in Miami, said he plans to begin recording new material in about a month.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 30

1961:  Glen Campbell's first single of his career debuted on this date as his version of "Turn Around, Look At Me" entered the chart.
1961:  Ray Charles owned the top R&B song for the fifth week with "Hit The Road, Jack".

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: Eagles with "Learn To Be Still"

Here's a great song never released as a single from the Eagles' comeback album Hell Freezes Over:

"Learn To Be Still"
Eagles


Written by Don Henley and Stan Lynch

It's just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You'd give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don't know how to be alone
So we wander 'round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don't smell so sweet
Maybe you've forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

[Solo]

There are so many contridictions
In all these messages we send
(We keep asking)
How do I get out of here
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin'
It's waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

You just keep on runnin'
Keep on runnin'

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 29

1957:  Bobby Helms recorded "Jingle Bell Rock" at the Bradley Film and Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

1958:  The Platters released their incredible single "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 28

1955:  Buddy Holly opened for Marty Robbins in Lubbock, Texas.
1956:  Elvis Presley returned to The Ed Sullivan Show for a second time and was presented with a Gold record for "Love Me Tender" by Sullivan.

  1956:  "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley was the new #1 song, enabling Elvis to become the first artist of the Rock Era to replace himself at #1.  The all-time double-sided smash "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog" had been #1 for 11 weeks.


Monday, October 26, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 27

1957:  The Crickets had the #1 song in the U.K. with "That'll Be The Day".

     
  One of the brightest stars of the time.  Or any time...

1957 - "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly & the Crickets was released with another killer song--"Not Fade Away" on the flip.  (Note:  numerous websites show the release as October 29, but according to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the correct date of release was October 27.)


Sunday, October 25, 2015

This Date in Rock Music History: October 26


1959:  Marty Robbins released the single "El Paso".