Thursday, November 21, 2019

What Happened Today In Music

1954 - Rosemary Clooney
American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'This Ole House.' This song was also a No.1 for Shakin' Stevens in 1981. Her nephew, George Clooney was a pallbearer at her funeral in 2002.
1955 - Elvis Presley
RCA Records purchased Elvis Presley's recording contract from Sam Phillips at Sun Records for an unprecedented sum of $35,000. In September 1931, RCA Victor introduced the first 33⅓ rpm records sold to the public, and later in 1949, RCA Victor introduced the 7-inch 45 rpm fine-grooved vinyl record.
1960 - Maurice Williams
Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Stay', the shortest ever US No.1 single at one minute 37 seconds. A No.14 hit in the UK in 1961.
1960 - The Beatles
The Beatles played at the Kaiserkeller Club in Hamburg, Germany without George Harrison. The guitarist had been deported on this day for being underage (he was 17) and not legally allowed to remain in a nightclub after midnight.
1970 - Partridge Family
The Partridge Family started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Think I Love You'. The song was featured in the first episode of the Partridge Family TV series, made by the same company that made The Monkees.
1970 - Jimi Hendrix
Two months after his death Jimi Hendrix was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' the closing track on Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This was the guitarist's only UK No.1 single. Hendrix's solo on the track was named the 11th greatest solo of all-time in Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
1971 - Elton John
Elton John kicked off a 13-date UK tour at The Coventry Theatre, promoting his new album Madman Across The Water. The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over two weeks by Janis Larkham, wife of the album art director David Larkham. She used the back of an old Levi's jacket, and the original was gifted to John.
1974 - Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was arrested in New York City for possession of a dangerous weapon after he pulled a gun during an argument.
1975 - Elton John
At the start of Elton John week in Los Angeles, the singer received a Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame.
1976 - Billy Idol
The Stranglers supported by Chelsea appeared at The Nashville, London, England. This was Billy Idol's last gig with Chelsea, who then joined fame in the punk band Generation X before becoming a solo artist.
1980 - Don Henley
Don Henley was arrested after a naked 16-year old girl was found at his home in Los Angeles suffering from a drug over-dose, he received a $2,000 fine with two years probation.
1981 - Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton John started a ten week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with 'Physical', the singers fourth US No.1 went on to sell over 2 million copies, a became a No.7 hit in the UK.
1981 - David Bowie
Queen and David Bowie were at No.1 in the UK with Under Pressure. They recorded the song together when both acts were working in a German recording studio. It was David Bowie's first released collaboration with another recording artist.
1983 - Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's 14-minute video for Thriller was premiered in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis and co-starring former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. The video (like the song) contains a spoken word performance by horror film veteran Vincent Price. The video was filmed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the zombie dance sequence at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona Street in East Los Angeles and the final house scene in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue.
1987 - Billy Idol
Billy Idol knocked Tiffany from the No.1 single position on the US singles chart with his version of Tommy James ' Mony Mony'. Tiffany had been at No.1 with another Tommy James song ' I Think We're Alone Now.'
1988 - Jimmy Page
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page set out on his first ever-solo tour at The Hummingbird, Birmingham, appearing with John Miles and the son of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham.
1990 - Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger married Jerry Hall in Bali. The marriage was declared 'null and void' on 13th August 1999 after a judge ruled that the six- hour ceremony in Bali was never registered.
1991 - Aerosmith
Aerosmith made a guest appearance in the Simpsons TV animated comedy. Other acts who have appeared on the show included: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, U2, The Moody Blues, The B-52's, The WhoR.E.M., Phish, Blink-182,  Metallica, and The White Stripes.
1992 - Charles and Eddie
Charles and Eddie were at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Would I Lie To You' the debut single by the pop-soul duo and their only chart topper.
1994 - Stone Roses
After a five-year wait, The Stone Roses released the single 'Love Spreads'. In true Roses fashion the group turn down an appearance on BBC 1's TV show Top Of The Pops to promote the single.
1995 - Peter Grant
Legendary manager of Led Zeppelin Peter Grant died from a heart attack aged 60. Known as being one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history, Grant secured 90% of concert gate money and intimidated record store owners who dealt in bootlegs. The former wrestler, also worked as a film extra and bodyguard. During the early 60’s Grant worked as a tour manager for Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Little RichardChuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and The Animals.
1995 - The Beatles
The Beatles Anthology 1 was released in the US, featuring 60 tracks including the track 'Free As A Bird', a song originally composed and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon. In 1995 a studio version of the recording, incorporating contributions from Paul McCartneyGeorge Harrison and Ringo Starr was released as a single by The Beatles.
2003 - George Harrison
An acoustic guitar on which the late Beatle George Harrisonlearned to play fetched £276,000 at a London auction. His father originally bought the Egmond guitar for Harrison for £3.50. Another item auctioned was a signed invitation to the post-premiere celebrations for The Beatles Hard Days Night film, which went for £17,250.
2003 - Phil Spector
Record producer Phil Spector appeared before a California court and was formally charged with murder. B-movie actress Lana Clarkson had been found at his mansion in February of this year with a fatal gunshot wound to her face. Spector pleaded not guilty to her murder during a brief hearing in Alhambra, near Los Angeles and was released on $1m bail.
2004 - Eminem
Eminem was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Encore', his third US No.1 album. Girls Aloud started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Pretenders 'I'll Stand By You.' This was 2004's single for the Children In Need appeal with its proceeds going towards the charity.
2007 - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were suing a US network over the name of its TV show, Californication saying the title was "immediately associated in the mind of the consumer" with its 1999 album and single release. The band filed a lawsuit against Showtime Network - the makers of the TV show, which featured David Duchovny as a writer going through a mid-life crisis. "For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right," said the band's singer, Anthony Kiedis. He described Californication as "the signature CD, video and song of the band's career".
2009 - Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug, moments after escaping a prison sentence at a court-hearing. The Babyshambles singer allegedly dropped a wrap of ‘little blue crystals’ when he was being frisked by security as he entered the court.
2012 - Stone Roses
Stone Roses guitarist John Squire's art studio burnt down at his home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, after it caught fire. Two paintings from Squire's recent Celebrity series were lost but no other works were in the studio at the time.
2017 - David Cassidy
American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist David Cassidy died of liver failure aged 67. He was known for his role as Keith Partridge, the son of Shirley Partridge (played by his stepmother Shirley Jones), in the 70s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family, which led to him becoming one of popular culture's teen idols. The Partridge Family had the 1970 US No.1 single 'I Think I Love You', and the 1972 UK No.3 single 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do'. As a solo artist he scored the 1972 UK No.1 single 'How Can I Be Sure'. 

Born Today In Music

November 21st

1941 - Dr John
Dr John, (Malcolm John Rebennack), US R&B pianist, guitarist, singer. He wrote 'I Walk On Guilded Splinters.' Active as a session musician from the late 1950s until his death, he gained a following in the late 1960s after the release of his album Gris-Gris and his appearance at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. He died of a heart attack on 6 June 2019 age 77. 
1941 - Andrew Love
Andrew Love, saxophone player based in Memphis, Tennessee, best known for being a member of The Memphis Horns. With trumpet player Wayne Jackson, the two created the signature horn sound at Stax on hit records by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and others such as Neil DiamondElvis Presley and Dusty Springfield. Love died on 12th April 2012 aged 70.
1948 - Lonnie Jordan
American singer-songwriter Lonnie Jordan from American funk band War. Their album The World Is a Ghetto was the best-selling US album of 1973. They also scored the 1973 US No.2 single 'Cisco Kid'.
1950 - Livingston Taylor
Livingston Taylor, singer, songwriter, (brother of James Taylor), 1978 US No. 30 single 'I Will Be In Love With You').
1950 - David Williams
American singer, songwriter, musician David Williams who was best known for his work as a prolific session rhythm guitarist, working with artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, The Jacksons, Boz Scaggs, Michael JacksonMadonna, Bryan Ferry, Herbie Hancock and the Temptations. Williams died of cardiac arrest on March 6, 2009, in Hampton, Virginia aged 58.
1950 - Gary Pihl
American guitarist Gary Pihl best known for playing with Sammy Hagar (from 1977 - 1984) and in the band Boston who he joined in 1986.
1965 - Bjork
Icelandic singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and DJ. Bjork Gudmundsdottir. Was a member of The Sugarcubes whose 1987 single 'Birthday' was a hit on US and UK indie stations. Björk embarked on a solo career in 1993 and several of Björk's albums have reached the top 20 on the Billboard chart, plus she has had 30 singles reach the top 40 on pop charts around the world.
1967 - Margret Ornolfsdottir
Margret Ornolfsdottir, keyboards, The Sugarcubes, (1992 UK No.17 single 'Hit').
1968 - Alex James
Alex James, bassist with Blur who scored the 1995 UK No.1 single 'Country House', plus over 12 other UK Top 40 singles. Their 1994 UK No.1 album 'Parklife' spent over 2 years on the UK chart. Also a member of Me Me Me, (with Stephen Duffy), who scored the 1996 UK No.19 single 'Hanging Around'. James has become notable for his production of award-winning cheeses including 'Alex James Presents' – a range of British artisan cheeses – 'Good QueenMaude', 'Blue Monday', 'Little Wallop', 'Farleigh Wallop', and most recently 'Goddess.'
1970 - Francis Macdonald
Francis Macdonald, drummer, Teenage Fanclub, (1992 UK No.31 single 'What You Do To Me') The Pastels.
1985 - Carly Rae Jepsen
Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress, Carly Rae Jepsen. Her 2012 single 'Call Me Maybe' reached No.1 in 18 countries and culminating as the year's best-selling single globally.

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