Music Almanac: January 31

Justin Timberlake

Birthdays

• 1906 - Roosevelt Sykes (d. 1983)
• 1915 - Alan Lomax (d. 2002)
• 1921 - Mario Lanza (d. 1959)
• 1928 - Chuck Willis (d. 1958)
• 1932 - Rick Hall (producer, owner of FAME Studios) (80)
• 1932 - Ottilie Patterson (Chris Barber's Jazz Band) (d. 2011)
• 1934 - Bobby Lee Trammell (d. 2008)
• 1936 - Marvin Junior (Dells) (76)
• 1937 - Philip Glass (75)
• 1944 - Charlie Musselwhite (68)
• 1946 - Terry Kath (Chicago) (d. 1978)
• 1951 - Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) (61)
• 1951 - Henry Wayne Casey (K.C. & the Sunshine Band) (61)
• 1952 - Curly Smith (Jo Jo Gunne) (60)
• 1954 - Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake) (58)
• 1956 - John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) (Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd.) (56)
• 1958 - Tom Schuman (Spyro Gyra) (54)
• 1961 - Lloyd Cole (Lloyd Cole & the Commotions) (51)
• 1963 - Scott Ian (born Scott Rosenfeld) (Anthrax) (49)
• 1964 - Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) (48)
• 1966 - Al Doughty (born Alan Jaworski) (Jesus Jones) (46)
• 1967 - Chad Channing (Nirvana) (45)
• 1967 - Jason Cooper (Cure) (45)
• 1967 - Fat Mike (born Michael Burkett) (NOFX, Me First & the Gimme Gimmies) (45)
• 1981 - Justin Timberlake (31)
• 1987 - Marcus Mumford (Muford & Sons) (25)

Deaths

• 1970 - Slim Harpo (born James Moore) - Heart attack (46)
• 1978 - Greg Herbert (Blood, Sweat & Tears) - Accidental drug overdose (30)
• 1985 - Barbara Cowsill (Cowsills) - Emphysema (56)

On This Day

• 1957 - Decca Records in the U.K. said that Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & the Comets had sold a million copies in the U.K., mostly on 78's.
• 1969 - Bobby Darin walked off of The Jackie Gleason Show when they would not allow him to perform the song Long Line Rider.
• 1970 - The Grateful Dead are arrested for possession of LSD and barbiturates in New Orleans.
• 1970 - Creedence Clearwater filmed a television special.
• 1972 - Aretha Franklin sang at Mahalia Jackson's funeral.
• 1979 - The Clash opened their first U.S. tour. Bo Diddley was the opener.

Clash (1/31/79): Joe Strummer, Topper Headon, Paul Simonon, Mick Jones

• 1988 - Herb Alpert played the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXIII.
• 1998 - The Presidents of the United States of America played their final show in Seattle, WA.
• 1999 - Reba McEntire closed her first European tour with a sold-out performance in Munich.
• 1999 - Cher sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXII.
• 2000 - Jay-Z was indicted on two assault charges from a December 1 stabbing of a record executive.
• 2000 - The Strokes played in the U.K. next time in Portsmouth.
• 2001 - It was announced Peter Criss would be leaving Kiss, to be replaced by Eric Singer.
• 2002 - Koko Taylor is released from the hospital after undergoing an angioplasty.
• 2008 - Britney Spears was taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Recorded

• 1931 - T.B. Blues, Travellin' Blues & Jimmie The Kid - Jimmie Rodgers
• 1949 - Kitty West recorded for the first time for RCA Victor.
• 1963 - Surfin' U.S.A. & Shutdown - Beach Boys

Broadcasts

• 1961 - Bobby Darin & Friends (NBC) - Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Joanie Sommers
• 1978 - The Old Grey Whistle Test (U.K.) - Talking Heads (British TV debut)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 30

Phil Collins

Birthdays

• 1934 - Melvin Endsley (sonwriter, Singing the Blues) (d. 2004)
• 1936 - Horst Jankowski (d. 1998)
• 1937 - Jeanne Pruett (75)
• 1938 - Norma Jean (74)
• 1941 - Joe Terranova (Danny & the Juniors) (71)
• 1942 - Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) (70)
• 1943 - Sandy Deanne (Jay & the Americans) (69)
• 1947 - Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie) (d. 1991)
• 1949 - William King (Commodores) (63)
• 1951 - Phil Collins (61)
• 1951 - Andy Anderson (Cure) (61)
• 1951 - Marv Ross (Quarterflash) (61)
• 1952 - Steve Bartek (Strawberry Alarm Clock, Oingo Boingo) (60)
• 1959 - Jody Watley (53)
• 1959 - Mark Eitzel (American Music Club) (53)
• 1961 - Angie Stone (51)
• 1967 - Jay Gordon (Orgy) (45)
• 1967 - Bill Leverty (FireHouse) (45)
• 1968 - Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle) (44)
• 1972 - Tammy Cochran (40)
• 1980 - Josh Kelley (32)

Deaths

• 1976 - Mance Lipscomb (80)
• 1980 - Professor Longhair - Heart attack (61)
• 1980 - Warren Smith - Heart attack (47)
• 1982 - Lightnin' Hopkins - Cancer (70)
• 2005 - Wes Wehmiller (Missing Persons, Duran Duran) - Thyroid cancer (33)

Wicked Lester (soon to be KISS)

On This Day

• 1961 - Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller announce they are forming an independent production company.
• 1967 - The Beatles had their first day of shooting on the promo video for Strawberry Fields Forever.
• 1969 - The Beatles performed live for the last time on the roof of the Apple Building in London.
• 1973 - Kiss made their first appearance under their new name at the Popcorn Club in New York. Their old name was Wicked Lester.
• 1974 - Bob Dylan played in New York for the first time in eight years.
• 1988 - A court case revealed that Frankie Goes to Hollywood did not play on their records Relax and Two Tribes. Session musicians were used instead.
• 1990 - Bob Dylan is honored with the title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France.
• 1994 - Natalie Cole sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXVIII.
• 1998 - Elton John becomes Sir Elton John when he is awarded a Knighthood.
• 2002 - Freddy Fender is released from a San Antonio hospital after successful kidney transplant surgery.
• 2002 - Tattoo, a musical based on the life of Boy George, opened in London.
• 2005 - Michael Jackson addresses his fans in a video the day before he is to go on trial for child molestation.
• 2005 - Yusuf Islam (the former Cat Stevens) visited tsunami-stricken Indonesia.
• 2007 - Brandy was sued for wrongful death by the parents of a woman killed in a car wreck that was deemed the singer's fault.
• 2008 - Forbes named Madonna the richest female musician. Barbra Streisand was second.
• 2010 - Neil Young was named MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.

Recorded

• 1956 - Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley (first song recorded for first album at RCA's New York studios)
• 1956 - Red Hot - Billy Lee Riley (Jerry Lee Lewis on piano)
• 1968 - Honey - Bobby Goldsboro
• 1972 - Give Ireland Back to the Irish - Paul McCartney (wrote and recorded less than 24 hours after Bloody Sunday in Ireland)
• 1975 - Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees

Released

• 1961 - Buck Owens' debut album released on Capitol.

Awards

• 1995 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male, Adult Contemporary Artist - Michael Bolton
• Pop/Rock Female - Mariah Carey
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group, Pop Rock New Artist - Ace of Base
• Pop/Rock Album - The Lion King - Soundtrack
• Pop/Rock Single, Soul/R&B Single - I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Meningitis
• Soul/R&B Male - Babyface
• Soul/R&B Female - Anita Baker
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - Boyz II Men
• Soul/R&B Album - Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton
• Soul/R&B New Aritst - All-4-One
• Country Male - Garth Brooks
• Country Female - Reba McEntire
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Alabama
• Country Album - Read My Mind - Reba McEntire
• Country Single - Whenever You Come Around - Vince Gill
• Country New Artist - Tim McGraw
• Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - Snoop Doggy Dog
• Alternative Artist - Counting Crows
• Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist - Nirvana
• Award of Merit - Prince
• International Artist Award - Led Zeppelin

Broadcasts

• 1982 - Desert Island Discs (BBC) - Paul McCartney

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 29

Jonny Lang

Birthdays

• 1917 - Lloyd Perryman (Sons of the Pioneers) (d. 1977)
• 1920 - Paul Gayten (d. 1991)
• 1931 - Leslie Bricusse (composer) (81)
• 1936 - James Jamerson (Funk Brothers) (d. 1983)
• 1942 - Claudine Longet (70)
• 1943 - Tony Blackburn (British DJ) (69)
• 1943 - Mark Wynter (69)
• 1944 - Andrew Loog Odham (68)
• 1947 - David Byron (Uriah Heep) (d. 1985)
• 1948 - Bill Kirchen (Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen) (64)
• 1948 - Felice Taylor (64)
• 1952 - Tommy Ramone (born Erdélyi Tamás) (Ramones) (60)
• 1953 - Louie Perez (Los Lobos) (59)
• 1953 - Peter Bauman (Tangerine Dream) (59)
• 1954 - Richard Manitoba (MC5, Dictators) (58)
• 1954 - Rob Manzoli (Right Said Fred) (58)
• 1956 - Irlene Mandrell (Mandrell Sisters) (56)
• 1959 - Johnny Spampinato (NRBQ) (53)
• 1961 - Eddie Jackson (Queenryche) (51)
• 1961 - Pauline Henry (Chimes) (51)
• 1961 - David Baynton-Power (James) (51)
• 1962 - Marcus Vere (Living in a Box) (50)
• 1964 - Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) (48)
• 1981 - Jonny Lang (31)
• 1982 - Adam Lambert (30)

Deaths

• 1976 - Jesse Fuller - Heart disease (79)
• 1980 - Jimmy Durante - Pneumonia (86)
• 1992 - Willie Dixon - Heart failure (76)
• 2005 - Eric Griffiths (Quarrymen) (64)
• 2009 - John Martyn - Double pneumonia (60)

On This Day

• 1961 - Bob Dylan met Woody Guthrie for the first time.
• 1962 - Peter, Paul and Mary signed with Warner Brothers records.
• 1964 - The Beatles went to Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris and recorded the German versions of She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Can't Buy Me Love.
• 1972 - Smokey Robinson split with the Miracles.
• 1979 - Emerson, Lake & Palmer split up.
• 1982 - Gary Numan was forced to land his plane in Southampton, England at an RAF Base after running low on fuel.
• 1989 - Billy Joel sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXIII.
• 1991 - The Stone Roses attacked the offices of their former label, Revolver Records, over what they perceived as the unauthorized rerelease of their early material.
• 1991 - The band James played on the roof of the Beatles' old offices in London 22 years to the day after the Fab Four had done the same.
• 1994 - Mary Wilson of the Supremes was injured and her 14-year-old son was killed when their jeep crashed on the freeway in Los Angeles.
• 1998 - Paul Simon's musical The Capeman premiered opened on Broadway.
• 2001 - A U.S. District Court Judge ruled that George Clinton had, in fact, signed away the rights to his songs to Bridgeport Music in 1983.
• 2006 - Bryan Adams played in Karachi, Pakistan, the first performance by a western artist in the country in many years.
• 2010 - Sly Stone filed a $50 million lawsuit against his former manager Jerry Goldstein over fraud and stolen royalties.

Marriages

• 1983 - Stevie Nicks and Kim Anderson

Divorces

• 2004 - James Brown and Tommie Ray Brown (filed by Brown)

Released

• 1958 - Tequila - Champs
• 1966 - I Fought the Law - Bobby Fuller Four

Broadcasts

• 1942 - Desert Island Discs (BBC) (Premier)
• 1969 - The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (CBS) (Premier)
• 1986 - Crook and Chase (The Nashville Network) (Premier)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 28

Robert Wyatt

Birthdays

• 1929 - Aker Bilk (83)
• 1936 - Bill Phillips (d. 2010)
• 1941 - King Tubby (born Osbourne Ruddock) (d. 1989)
• 1943 - Dick Taylor (Rolling Stones, Pretty Things) (69)
• 1943 - Brian Keenan (Chambers Brothers) (d. 1985)
• 1944 - Marty Fried (Cyrkle) (68)
• 1945 - Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine) (67)
• 1946 - Rick Allen (Box Tops) (66)
• 1949 - Eddie Bayers (session drummer) (63)
• 1951 - Billy Bass Nelson (Funkadelic) (61)
• 1954 - Shawn Murray (Mink DeVille) (58)
• 1956 - Peter Schilling (56)
• 1959 - Dave Sharp (The Alarm) (53)
• 1962 - Sam Phillips (50)
• 1963 - Dan Spitz (Anthrax) (49)
• 1965 - Greg Cook (Ricochet) (47)
• 1968 - Sarah McLachlan (44)
• 1968 - Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim) (44)
• 1968 - DJ Muggs (born Lawrence Muggerud) (44)
• 1970 - Donald Tardy (Obituary) (42)
• 1975 - Lee Latchford-Evans (Steps) (37)
• 1976 - Raphael "Tweet" Brown (Next) (36)
• 1976 - Jarron Montague (Taproot) (36)
• 1977 - Joey Fatone (N'Sync) (35)
• 1977 - Matt DeVries (Chimera) (35)
• 1980 - Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) (32)

Deaths

• 1972 - T. Texas Tyler - Stomach cancer (55)
• 1983 - Billy Fury (born Ronald Wycherley) - Heart failure (42)
• 1984 - Al Dexter (78)
• 2000 - Thomas "Beans" Bowles (Funk Brothers) - Prostate cancer (73)
• 2003 - Keven Conner (H-Town) - Car accident (28)
• 2005 - Jim Capaldi - Stomach cancer (60)
• 2009 - Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd) - Heart attack (56)

On This Day

• 1963 - Elvis Presley's Fun in Acapulco begins filming.
• 1966 - Brian Poole and the Tremeloes announce they are breaking up.
• 1966 - The Cavern Club in Liverpool closed due to debts.
• 1968 - Jim Morrison was arrested for being drunk in public and harassing a security guard in a Las Vegas movie theater.
• 1970 - An anti-war benefit concert was held at Madison Square Garden in New York with Judy Collins, Blood, Sweat and Tears, the Rascals, Harry Belafonte, Dave Brubeck and the cast of Hair.
• 1978 - Ted Nugent is asked to sign a fans arm with a bowie knife and does so.
• 1980 - The original Ants split with Adam Ant.
• 1982 - Jimmy Fortune performed for the first time with the Statler Brothers.
• 1984 - Tommy Lee of Motley Crue assaulted a fan at a show in Buffalo, NY after the fan told him he had seen Lee's girlfriend in the latest issue of Penthouse. It was true but Lee was not aware of it.
• 1988 - Pink Floyd floated a large inflatable bed down the Themes to promote their album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
• 1990 - Aaron Neville performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXIV.
• 1991 - Gloria Estefan performs live for the first time since injuring her back in a bus accident on the American Music Awards.
• 1996 - Diana Ross performs in half time show at Super Bowl XXX.
• 1998 - Country's Tracey Lawrence was ordered to pay $500 to a Las Vegas women's shelter as his sentence for battery. He had been arrested in September after an argument with his wife.
• 1999 - Pat Boone formed Gold Records who will only sign artists 45 and older. The first artist aboard is Jack Jones.
• 2004 - James Brown is arrested and charged with domestic violence after pushing his wife to the floor.
• 2005 - Ryan Vikedal left Nickelback.

Recorded

• 1963 - Five track demo - Rolling Stones
• 1964 - Together Again - Buck Owens
• 1985 - We Are the World - Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Dan Akyroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheila E., Bob Geldof, Janet Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, John Oates, Jeffrey Osbourne, Pointer Sisters and Smokey Robinson.

Released

• 2002 - Plenty Good Lovin’: The Lost Solo Album - Sam Moore

Awards

• 1991 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male - Phil Collins
• Pop/Rock Female, Soul/R&B Female, Dance Artist - Janet Jackson
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group, Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist - Aerosmith
• Pop/Rock Album - ...But Seriously - Phil Collins
• Pop/Rock Single - Blaze of Glory - Bon Jovi
• Pop/Rock New Artist, Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist - Vanilla Ice
• Soul/R&B Male, Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, MC Hammer
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - Tony! Toni! Tone!
• Soul/R&B Album, Rap/Hip-Hop Album - Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em - MC Hammer
• Soul/R&B Single - U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
• Soul/R&B New Artist, Dance New Artist - Bel Biv DeVoe
• Country Male - George Strait
• Country Female - Reba McEntire
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Alabama
• Country Album - Reba Live - Reba McEntire
• Country Single - If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks
• Country New Artist - Kentucky Headhunters
• Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album - Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue
• Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist - Slaughter
• Dance Single - Vogue - Madonna
• Award of Merit - Merle Haggard

Broadcasts

• 1956 - Stage Show (Dorsey Brothers) - Elvis Presley (first national TV appearance)
• 1965 - Ready, Steady, Go (U.K.) - Who
• 1978 - What's Happening (ABC) - Doobie Brothers
• 1996 - Friends (NBC) - Chris Issak

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 27

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Birthdays

• 1918 - Elmore James (d. 1963)
• 1919 - Ross Bagdasarian (aka David Seville) (d. 1972)
• 1930 - Bobby “Blue” Bland (82)
• 1937 - Buddy Emmons (75)
• 1944 - Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) (68)
• 1944 - Kevin Coyne (d. 2004)
• 1946 - Nedra Talley (Ronettes) (66)
• 1948 - Kim Gardner (Ashton, Gardner & Dyke) (d. 2001)
• 1951 - Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy) (61)
• 1951 - Seth Justman (J. Geils Band) (61)
• 1953 - Lee Carroll (Exile) (59)
• 1955 - Richard Young (Kentucky Headhunters) (57)
• 1955 - Cheryl White (Whites) (57)
• 1957 - Janick Gers (Iron Maiden) (55)
• 1957 - Martin Degville (Sigue Sigue Sputnik) (55)
• 1961 - Gillian Gilbert (New Order) (51)
• 1961 - Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) (51)
• 1968 - Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) (44)
• 1968 - Tricky (born Adrian Thaws) (44)
• 1968 - Tracey Lawrence (44)
• 1969 - Michael Kulas (James) (43)
• 1972 - Mark Owen (Take That) (40)

Deaths

• 1972 - Mahalia Jackson - Heart failure and diabetes (60)
• 2006 - Gene McFadden (McFadden & Whitehead) - Cancer (56)

Houston at Super Bowl XXV

On This Day

• 1958 - Little Richard entered the Oakwood Theological College in Huntsville to become an ordained Seventh Day Adventist minister.
• 1961 - Frank Sinatra played a benefit for Martin Luther King at Carnegie Hall.
• 1967 - The Beatles sign a new 9-year contract with EMI.
• 1968 - The Bee Gees made their concert debut in the U.S. in Anaheim, CA.
• 1971 - David Bowie came to the U.S. for the first time to promote his latest album. He wasn't allowed to perform because of work permit issues.
• 1976 - David Bowie sued his attorney Michael Lippman on the grounds that he took a fee of 15%, 5% more than was customary.
• 1977 - The Clash signed with CBS Records in Britain.
• 1984 - The Eurythmics start a 175-date world tour.
• 1989 - James Brown is charged with marijuana possession and unlawful use of a firearm.
• 1990 - It was Tom Petty Day in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida.
• 1991 - Whitney Houston sang the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV. It's hailed as one of the great performances at the event.
• 1993 - Warner Brothers Records released Ice-T from his contract due to creative differences.
• 1994 - Oasis played in London for the first time.
• 1997 - Pat Boone surprised the crowd at the American Music Awards with his new "metal" persona.
• 1998 - James Brown was charged with marijuana possession and unlawful use of a firearm at his home in South Carolina.
• 2002 - Koko Taylor fainted while performing at her club. It was due to her not taking her diabetes medication but a blocked artery was also found.
• 2004 - Faith Evans and her husband were arrested for cocaine and marijuana possession in Atlanta, GA.
• 2005 - R.E.M. cancel their first show in ten years when their equipment was held at the Estonia/Russia border.
• 2005 - Master P and his brother, Silkk the Shocker, were arrested in Los Angeles for felony drug charges.

Recorded

• 1959 - The Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton

Released

• 1956 - Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
• 1968 - (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Awards

• 1997 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male - Eric Clapton
• Pop/Rock Female - Alanis Morissette
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group - Hootie & the Blowfish
• Pop/Rock Album - Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
• Pop/Rock New Artist - Jewel
• Soul/R&B Male - Keith Sweat
• Soul/R&B Female - Toni Braxton
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - New Edition
• Soul/R&B Album - Secrets - Toni Braxton
• Soul/R&B New Artist - D'Angelo
• Country Male - Garth Brooks
• Country Female - Shania Twain
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Brooks & Dunn
• Country Album - Clear Blue Sky - George Strait
• Country New Artist - LeAnn Rimes
• Adult Contemporary Artist - Whitney Houston
• Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - Tupac Shakur
• Alternative Artist - Smashing Pumpkins
• Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist - Metallica
• Award of Merit - Little Richard
• International Artist Award - Bee Gees

Broadcasts

• 1964 - Juke Box Jury (U.K.) - Rolling Stones
• 1984 - The Tube (C4 TV U.K.) - Madonna (First appearance on British TV)
• 2000 - VH1 Storytellers - Aimee Mann, John Popper, Lisa Loeb, Dwight Yoakam (special webcast from the Sundance Film Festival)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 26

Lucinda Williams

Birthdays

• 1899 - Goebel Reeves (d. 1959)
• 1926 - Ronnie Hilton (d. 2001)
• 1928 - James O'Gwynn (d. 2011)
• 1932 - Claude Gray (80)
• 1932 - Coxsone Dodd (Jamaican producer) (d. 2004)
• 1934 - Huey "Piano" Smith (78)
• 1939 - Marshall Lieb (Teddy Bears) (73)
• 1942 - Dave Rowland (Dave & Sugar) (70)
• 1943 - Jean Knight (69)
• 1944 - Merilee Rush (68)
• 1945 - Ashley Hutchings (Fairport Convention) (67)
• 1946 - Deon Jackson (66)
• 1948 - Corky Laing (Mountain, West Bruce & Laing) (64)
• 1949 - Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band) (63)
• 1950 - Paul Pena (d. 2005)
• 1951 - David Briggs (Little River Band) (61)
• 1951 - Andy Hummel (Big Star) (d. 2010)
• 1953 - Lucinda Williams (59)
• 1955 - Eddie Van Halen (55)
• 1958 - Anita Baker (54)
• 1958 - Norman Hassan (UB40) (54)
• 1960 - Charlie Gillingham (Counting Crows) (52)
• 1961 - Tom Keifer (Cinderella) (51)
• 1963 - Andrew Ridgeley (Wham!) (49)
• 1963 - Jazzie B (born Trevor Romeo) (Soul II Soul) (49)
• 1964 - Susannah Melvoin (Prince) (48)
• 1970 - Kirk Franklin (42)
• 1976 - William Adler (Lamb of God) (36)
• 1986 - Matt Heafy (Trivium) (26)

Deaths

• 1989 - Donnie Elbert - Stroke (52)
• 1998 - S.P. Leary - Cancer (67)
• 2011 - Charlie Louvin (Louvin Brothers) - Pancreatic cancer (83)
• 2011 - Gladys Horton (Marvelettes) - Stroke (65)

On This Day

• 1966 - Eric Burdon filled in on lead vocals for Manfred Mann for a London show.
• 1968 - Pink Floyd played their first show without Syn Barrett.
• 1969 - Led Zeppelin played a four-hour set at the Boston Tea Party.
• 1970 - Elvis Presley opened at the International Hotel in Las Vegas and, for the first time, wears his one-piece jumpsuit.
• 1974 - The Doobie Brothers open their first European Tour in London.
• 1977 - Ex-Fleetwood Mac member Peter Green was committed after threatening his accountant with a gun.
• 1977 - Patti Smith fell off the stage while purforming in Tampa, FL, injuring her vertebrae and needing 22 stitches in her head.
• 1984 - Michael Jackson is hospitalized with burns to his scalp after his hair catches fire while shooting a Pepsi commercial.
• 1986 - Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins crashed his car, killing his girlfriend and paralyzing him from the waist down.
• 1989 - Bon Jovi opened the North American portion of their New Jersey Syndicate Tour in Dallas, TX.
• 1991 - Cher made the video Cher's Video Canteen for the troops in Operation Desert Storm. Her guests included Janet Jackson, Paul Simon, Van Halen and Bonnie Raitt.
• 1997 - The Super Bowl XXXI half-time show stars ZZ Top, James Brown and the Blues Brothers.
• 1999 - The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that John Denver's plane crashed two years earlier because he did not have enough fuel in one tank and had trouble switching the plane to the other tank. Denver was killed in the crash.
• 2000 - Courtney Love and a photographer fought at the Sundance Film Festival.
• 2001 - Reba McEntire opened on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun.
• 2003 - Billy Joel ran his car into a tree and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
• 2004 - A judge orders R. Kelly to keep his distance from Michael Jackson during the Grammy Awards. Kelly had been charged with child pornography while Jackson had recently plead not guilty.
• 2004 - Dig!, a documentary on the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Masacre, wins the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
• 2005 - Irv Gotty of the Inc. surrenders to the police on charges of money laundering.
• 2006 - Pete Doherty was arrested twice in one day for drug possession.

Marriages

• 1980 - Kristine Arnold (Sweethearts of the Rodeo) and Leonard Arnold

Recorded

• 1956 - Buddy Holly made his first recordings for Decca.
• 1970 - Instant Karma - John Lennon (wrote, recorded and mixed in one day)

Released

• 2010 - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

Awards

• 1998 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male, Soul/R&B Male - Babyface
• Pop/Rock Female - Celine Dion
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group, Pop/Rock New Artist - Spice Girls
• Pop/Rock Album - Spice - Spice Girls
• Soul/R&B Female - Mariah Carey
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - Boyz II Men
• Soul/R&B Album - Share My World - Mary J. Blige
• Soul/R&B New Artist - Erikah Badu
• Country Male Artist - George Strait
• Country Female Artist - Reba McEntire
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Alabama
• Country Album - Carrying Your Love With Me - George Strait
• Country New Artist - Lee Ann Womack
• Adult Contemporary Artist - Elton John
• Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
• Alternative Artist - Bush
• Latin Artist - Julio Iglesias
• Award of Merit - Frank Sinatra

Broadcasts

• 1975 - Cracked Actor (BBC) - David Bowie (documentary)
• 1980 - American Bandstand (ABC) - Prince (television debut)
• 2003 - Jimmy Kimmel Show (ABC, premier) - Coldplay
• 2004 - I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here (U.K.) - John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) (walked off the show after four days)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 25

Alicia Keys

Birthdays

• 1899 or 1904 - Sleepy John Estes (d. 1977)
• 1915 - Ewan MacColl (d. 1989)
• 1922 - Jimmy Wyble (Bob Will's Texas Playboys) (d. 2010)
• 1923 - Rusty Draper (d. 2003)
• 1927 - Antonio Carlos Jobim (d. 1994)
• 1931 - Stig Anderson (manager of ABBA) (d. 1997)
• 1938 - Etta James (d. 2012)
• 1946 - Ronnie Brandon (McCoys) (66)
• 1950 - Michael Cotten (Tubes) (62)
• 1953 - Malcolm Green (Split Enz) (59)
• 1956 - Andy Cox (Beat, Fine Young Cannibals) (56)
• 1957 - Edmund Sylvers (Sylvers) (d. 2004)
• 1958 - Gary Tibbs (Adam & the Ants, Roxy Music) (54)
• 1963 - Carl Fysh (Brother Beyond) (49)
• 1968 - Heinrich "Haini" Wolfgramm (Jets) (43)
• 1969 - Kina (born Kina Cosper) (Brownstone) (43)
• 1974 - Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay) (38)
• 1977 - Christian Ingebrigtsen (A1) (35)
• 1981 - Alicia Keys (31)

Deaths

• 1976 - Chris Kenner - Heart attack (46)
• 1986 - Albert Grossman (manager for Bob Dylan, Peter Paul & Mary, the Band, Janis Joplin, Todd Rundgren) - Heart attack (59)
• 1999 - Robert Shaw - Stroke (82)
• 2005 - Ray Peterson - Cancer (65)

On This Day

• 1960 - The National Association of Broadcasters threatened disc jockeys over the Payola scandal, saying they would fine anyone who accepted money for playing records.
• 1961 - Bob Dylan finds the family of Woody Guthrie in New York and teaches son Arlo Guthrie how to play harmonica.
• 1963 - Cilla Black performed in public for the first time at Liverpool's Cavern Club.
• 1963 - Janis Joplin performs in San Francisco for the first time.
• 1963 - Vee Jay records signed a contract to distribute the Beatles records in the U.S.
• 1971 - Grace Slick gave birth to a daughter she named god. The baby was later renamed China.
• 1978 - Joy Division made their live debut in Manchester, England.
• 1980 - The Specials made their U.S. live debut in New York.
• 1980 - Paul McCartney is released from a Tokyo prison after being arrested with a half-pound of marijuana.
• 1984 - Yoko Ono donated $425,000 to Liverpool senior's home Strawberry Fields.
• 1987 - Neil Diamond sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXI.
• 1989 - Bobby Brown was arrested for a sexually suggestive performance in Columbus, OH.
• 1991 - Paul McCartney recorded MTV Unplugged.
• 1992 - Emmylou Harris joined the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1994 - Mark Wahlberg was sued by a woman who said she was trampled at the front of the stage at one of his concerts.
• 1999 - Paul McCartney protested against British radio and TV when they banned The Light Comes From Within, the last song recorded by his late wife Linda.
• 2000 - A 1930 aluminum record is found with Frank Sinatra singing Roses of Picardy. It's believed to be his earliest recording.
• 2000 - Kevin Cadogan was fired from Third Eye Blind.
• 2001 - Jonathan King (Everyone's Gone to the Moon) was charged with ten counts of sexually abusing children.
• 2004 - Bob Dylan made an advertisement for Victoria's Secret in Italy. The move upset some of his fans.
• 2006 - Motley Crue received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2008 - Phil Sumner of British Sea Power was knocked unconscious while stage diving at a show in Leeds, England.

Divorces

• 1989 - Madonna and Sean Penn (Madonna filed for second time)

Recorded

• 1963 - Till Then - Classics

Released

• 1962 - Twistin' the Night Away - Sam Cooke (single)
• 1969 - Bayou Country - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Awards

• 2004 - Golden Globes
• Best Original Song - Into the West - Annie Lennox (from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)

Broadcasts

• 1964 - Juke Box Jury (U.K.) - Phil Spector
• 1990 - 60 Minutes (CBS) - Paul McCartney (profiled)
• 1990 - Cheers (NBC) - Bill Medley

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 24

Neil Diamond

Birthdays

• 1933 - Zeke Carey (Flamingos) (d. 2001)
• 1936 - Doug Kershaw (76)
• 1936 - Jack Scott (76)
• 1939 - Ray Stevens (73)
• 1941 - Aaron Neville (71)
• 1941 - Neil Diamond (71)
• 1941 - Michael Chapman (71)
• 1945 - Curtis Burch (New Grass Revival) (67)
• 1947 - Warren Zevon (d. 2003)
• 1948 - Michael Des Barres (Power Station) (64)
• 1949 - John Belushi (Blues Brothers) (d. 1982)
• 1950 - Becky Hobbs (62)
• 1958 - Jools Holland (54)
• 1963 - Keech Rainwater (Lonestar) (49)
• 1967 - John Myung (Dream Theater) (45)
• 1970 - Sleepy Brown (producer) (42)
• 1974 - Chris Hesse (Hoobastank) (38)
• 1975 - Paul Marazzi (A1) (37)
• 1989 - Calvin Goldspink (S Club 8) (23)

Deaths

• 1963 - Otto Harbach (songwriter, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes) (90)
• 1970 - James Sheppard, (Shep & the Limelites, Heartbeats) - Murdered
• 1992 - Ken Darby (songwriter, Love Me Tender) (82)
• 1995 - David Cole (C+C Music Factory) - Spinal meningitis (official, possible complication of AIDS) (32)
• 1998 - Justin Tubb (son of Ernest Tubb) - Aortic aneurysm (62)

On This Day

• 1958 - Elvis Presley became the first artist to debut at number 1 on the U.K. singles chart with Jailhouse Rock.
• 1958 - The Quarry Men appeared at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. It was their only appearance at the venue under that name but would return three years later as the Beatles.
• 1960 - Bob Dylan got to New York with friend Fred Underhill. He played Cafe Wha? his first night in town.
• 1962 - Brian Epstein signed on as manager of the Beatles.
• 1965 - The movie Ferry Cross the Mercy, starring Gerry & the Pacemakers, premiered in Liverpool.
• 1969 - The state of New Jersey warned record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they sold the John Lennon/Yoko Ono album Two Virgins.
• 1969 - Jethro Tull began their first U.S. tour, opening for Led Zeppelin.
• 1978 - The workers in an EMI pressing plant in England refused to press copies of the Buzzcocks' single What Do I Get because they were offended by the flip-side, Oh Shit.
• 1979 - The Clash released their first U.S. single, a cover of the Bobby Fuller Four's I Fought the Law.
• 1980 - A billboard was put up in Los Angeles advertising Pink Floyd's The Wall. Workers added one brick everyday until the wall was complete.
• 1981 - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith crashed his motorcycle and ended up in the hospital.
• 1982 - Diana Ross sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XVI.
• 1992 - Greg McPherson filed a lawsuit against New Kids on the Block, saying that he was owed for his work on their Hangin' Tough Live album and stating that they only sang twenty percent of the concert and lip synced the rest. The suit is eventually dropped.
• 1993 - Keith Richards and his group X-Pensive Winos played Las Vegas for the first time.
• 2000 - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young played a concert together for the first time in 25 years.
• 2002 - Freddy Fender had a kidney transplant.
• 2002 - The Spice Girls lost a court case brought by an Italian scooter maker, forcing them to pay the manufacturer $1.5 million.
• 2004 - Madonna received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NRJ French Music Awards in Cannes.
• 2005 - Lynn Anderson was arrested for shoplifting a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket.
• 2006 - British all-girl group All Saints announced they were reforming.
• 2008 - Amy Winehouse entered rehab to try and kick her addiction to drugs.

Recorded

• 1955 - Bob Wills had his first Decca recording session.
• 1957 - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
• 1957 - Mel Tillis had his first recording session for Columbia Records.

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 23

Robin Zander of Cheap Trick

Birthdays

• 1910 - Django Reinhardt (d. 1953)
• 1925 - Marty Paich (producer) (d. 1995)
• 1930 - Ken Errair (Four Freshmen) (82)
• 1940 - Johnny Russell (d. 2001)
• 1944 - Jerry Lawson (Persuasions) (68)
• 1948 - Anita Pointer (Pointer Sisters) (64)
• 1950 - Bill Cunningham (Box Tops) (62)
• 1950 - John Greaves (Henry Cow) (62)
• 1950 - Danny Federici (E-Street Band) (d. 2008)
• 1953 - Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) (60)
• 1954 - Richard Finch (K.C. & the Sunshine Band) (59)
• 1954 - Edward Ka-Spel (born Edward Sharp) (Legendary Pink Dots) (59)
• 1955 - Reggie Calloway (Midnight Star) (57)
• 1957 - Earl Falconer (UB40) (55)
• 1971 - Marc Nelson (Az Yet) (41)
• 1975 - Nick Harmer (Death Cab for Cutie) (37)

Deaths

• 1972 - Big Mabelle (born Mabel Smith) - Diabetes (47)
• 1978 - Terry Kath (Chicago) - Accidental self inflicted gun shot (31)
• 1978 - Vic Ames (Ames Brothers) - Car accident (51)
• 1990 - Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd) - Pneumonia (37)
• 1997 - Richard Berry (songwriter (Louie Louie), bass voice on Etta James' The Wallflower) - Heart failure (61)
• 1998 - Johnny Funches (Dells) - Pneumonia

On This Day

• 1956 - People under 18 in Cleveland were banned from dancing in public unless accompanied by an adult.
• 1957 - The movie Don't Knock the Rock premiers.
• 1959 - The Winter Dance Party tour began with Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, the Big Bopper, Dion and others.
• 1969 - Alan Parsons engineers for the Beatles for the first time in the session to record Get Back.
• 1970 - A judge in the Chicago Seven trial refuses to allow Judy Collins to sing part of her testimony.
• 1974 - Shane Fenton made his first appearance since changing his name to Alvin Stardust.
• 1977 - Patti Smith broke a vertebra falling off the stage during a show in Tampa, FL.
• 1986 - Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley were the first class inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• 1989 - James Brown was sentenced to six years in jail in Georgia after a police chase through two states.
• 1990 - David Bowie announced that his upcoming Sound and Vision tour would be his last.
• 1991 - The owner and GM of Albuquerque, NM station KLSK played Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven for 24 hours straight. Police were called twice, once under the suspicion that the DJ had a heart attack and a second time after a report that the station must have been taken over by terrorists as Saddam Hussein was a Zeppelin fan.
• 1994 - The Rock For Choice concert was held in Hollywood, CA with Rage Against the Machine, Screaming Trees, Eddie Vedder and others.
• 1996 - White Zombie was not allowed to play a Johnson City, TN show after the city council rejected the show saying they were devil worshipers.
• 1998 - The Spice Girls' movie, Spice World, premiered in the U.S.
• 1999 - Master P is invited to tryout for basketball's Charlotte Hornets.
• 2002 - EMI said they would pay Mariah Carey $28 million to end her contract early.
• 2003 - R. Kelly once again was arrested on child pornography charges
• 2004 - Dave Holland, former drummer for Judas Priest, was found guilty of attempting to rape a learning-disabled teenager to whom he was giving a drum lesson.
• 2004 - Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots was ordered back into rehab by a judge after he left his first court-ordered stint early.
• 2005 - A charity concert was held in Cardiff, Wales for the victims of the Asian tsunamis with Eric Clapton, Manic Street Preachers, Keane, Charlotte Church, Snow Patrol, Embrace, Feeder, Craig David and Liberty X.

Divorces

• 1979 - Brian Wilson and Marilyn Rovell

Recorded

• 1935 - Leadbelly began recording for the American Record Company.
• 1941 - Moonglow - Artie Shaw
• 1962 - I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Tony Bennett
• 1969 - Get Back - Beatles
• 1988 - Nirvana recorded a ten song demo that went on to get them a recording contract.

Released

• 1958 - Maybe Baby - Crickets

Awards

• 2000 - Golden Globe Awards
• Best Original Song - You'll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins (from Tarzan)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 22

Steve Perry

Birthdays

• 1931 - Sam Cooke (d. 1964)
• 1940 - Addie “Micki” Harris (Shirelles) (d. 1982)
• 1946 - Malcolm McLaren (d. 2010)
• 1949 - Steve Perry (Journey) (63)
• 1949 - Nigel Pegrum (Small Faces, Steeleye Span) (63)
• 1949 - J.P. Pennington (Exile) (63)
• 1952 - Teddy Gentry (Alabama) (60)
• 1960 - Michael Hutchence (INXS) (d. 1997)
• 1965 - Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses) (47)
• 1965 - DJ Jazzy Jeff (born Jeffrey Townes) (47)
• 1965 - Andrew Roachford (47)
• 1969 - Marc Gay (Shai) (43)
• 1981 - Ben Moody (Evanescence) (31)
• 1981 - Willa Ford (born Amanda Modano) (31)
• 1981 - Kelton "LDB" Kessee (IMx/Immature) (31)

Deaths

• 1994 - Rhett Forrester (Riot) - Murdered during carjacking (37)
• 1997 - Ron Holden (57)
• 1997 - Bill Mackenzie (Associates) - Suicide (39)
• 2002 - Peter Bardens (Camel) - Lung cancer (56)
• 2004 - Billy May (arranger) (87)
• 2006 - Janette Carter (Carter Family) (82)

On This Day

• 1955 - Porter Wagoner debuted at the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1960 - Sam Cooke signed with RCA Records.
• 1967 - The Monkees gave their first public performance at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.
• 1971 - The Joe Cocker concert film Mad Dogs & Englishmen debuted in London.
• 1972 - David Bowie announced he was bisexual in the British magazine Melody Maker.
• 1984 - Barry Manilow sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XVIII.
• 1988 - Faith No More made their U.K. live debut in London.
• 1990 - Slash swore a number of times while accepting an award for Guns N' Roses at the American Music Awards.
• 1992 - Mariah Carey's stepfather sued her for money that he gave to her to live in the early days of her career with the understanding she would pay it back when she became successful.
• 1993 - Metallica kicked off their 77-date Nowhere Else to Roam tour.
• 1994 - Dwight Yokam became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1998 - Toni Braxton filed for bankruptcy with liabilities of over $1 million.
• 1998 - Snoop Dogg filed a suit against his former accountants for $10 million, accusing them of mismanaging his money.
• 2003 - R.Kelly was arrested on twelve counts of child pornography.
• 2003 - The Jayhawks are forced to cancel their tour when Gary Louris comes down with pericarditis.
• 2004 - The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village closed its doors.
• 2004 - Ryan Adams broke his wrist when he fell off the stage during a show in Liverpool, England. He was forced to cancel the rest of his tour.
• 2004 - Rascal Flatts is forced to tour without singer Chris Cagle who is ordered to undergo “extreme vocal rest” through June.

Recorded

• 1958 - Maybe, Every Night - Chantels
• 1959 - Buddy Holly made his last recordings in his New York City apartment with just a guitar. The songs were produced and released after his death.
• 1963 - Gerry & the Pacemakers recorded for the first time.
• 1963 - On Broadway - Drifters
• 1966 - Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys
• 1969 - Get Back - Beatles (first day of recording the album)

Released

• 2001 - The Modern Age EP - Strokes (debut)

Awards

• 1990 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male - Bobby Brown
• Pop/Rock Female, Dance Artist - Paula Abdul
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group - New Kids on the Block
• Pop/Rock Album - Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block
• Pop/Rock Single - Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli
• Pop/Rock New Artist, Soul/R&B New Artist - Milli Vanilli
• Soul/R&B Male - Luther Vandross
• Soul/R&B Female - Anita Baker
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - O'Jays
• Soul/R&B Album - Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown
• Soul/R&B Single, Dance Single - Miss You Much - Janet Jackson
• Country Male - Randy Travis
• Country Female - Reba McEntire
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Alabama
• Country Album - Old 8x10 - Randy Travis
• Country Single - Deeper Than the Holler - Randy Travis
• Country New Artist - Clint Black
• Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - M.C. Hammer
• Rap/Hip-Hop Album - Please Hammer Don't Hurt Them - M.C. Hammer
• Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist - Young MC
• Metal/Hard Rock Artist - Guns N' Roses
• Metal/Hard Rock Album - Appetite for Destruction - Guns N' Roses
• Metal/Hard Rock New Artist - Skid Row
• Dance New Artist - Tone Loc
• Award of Merit - Neil Diamond
• Award of Achievement - Prince

Broadcasts

• 1955 - Ozark Jubilee (ABC) (debut)
• 1962 - American Bandstand (ABC) - Gene Chandler (TV debut)
• 1978 - Fifty Years of Country Music (NBC)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 21

Billy Ocean

Birthdays

• 1931 - Rudy Maugeri (Crew Cuts) (d. 2004)
• 1938 - Wolfman Jack (born Robert Smith) (d. 1995)
• 1941 - Placido Domingo (71)
• 1941 - Richie Havens (71)
• 1941 - Keith Barbour (New Christy Minstrels) (71)
• 1942 - Mac Davis (70)
• 1942 - Edwin Starr (d. 2003)
• 1944 - Chris Britton (Troggs) (68)
• 1947 - Jim Ibbotson (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) (65)
• 1947 - Pye Hastings (Caravan) (65)
• 1950 - Billy Ocean (62)
• 1950 - Richie Ranno (Starz) (62)
• 1953 - Nigel Glocker (Saxon) (58)
• 1956 - Rob Brill (Berlin) (56)
• 1965 - Cordell Crockett (Ugly Kid Joe) (47)
• 1965 - Jam-Master Jay (born Jason Mizell) (d. 2002)
• 1966 - Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack) (46)
• 1966 - Wendy James (Transvision Vamp) (46)
• 1970 - Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) (42)
• 1972 - Cat Power (born Charlyn Marshall) (40)
• 1976 - Emma Bunton (Spice Girls) (36)
• 1979 - Nokio the N-Tity (born Tamir Ruffin) (Dru Hill) (33)
• 1986 - Coffin Joe (born Joe Spurgeon) (Horrors) (26)

Deaths

• 1970 - Cedric Rainwater (Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys)
• 1983 - Lamar Williams (Allman Brothers, Sea Level) - Lung cancer (34)
• 1984 - Jackie Wilson - Heart attack (he had been in a coma since September 29, 1975) (49)
• 1989 - Steve Wahrer (Trashmen) - Throat cancer
• 1992 - Champion Jack DuPree (born William DuPree) - Cancer (81, 82 or 83)
• 1996 - Frankie "Cannibal" Garcia (Cannibal & the Headhunters) (49)
• 1996 - Edem Ephraim (London Boys) - Car accident
• 1996 - Dennis Fuller (London Boys) - Car accident
• 1997 - Colonel Tom Parker - Stroke (87)
• 1997 - Irving Levine (songwriter (Knock Three Times, Tie a Yellow Ribbon)) - Kidney failure (58)
• 1999 - Charles Brown - Congestive heart failure (76)
• 2002 - Peggy Lee - Complications of diabetes and a heart attack (81)

On This Day

• 1957 - Filming began on the Elvis Presley film Loving You.
• 1965 - U.S. Immigration blocks a performance by the Animals at the Apollo Theater.
• 1970 - The Elvis Presley film Change of Habit was released. It would be his last movie except for documentaries and concert films.
• 1974 - Governor Jimmy Carter throws a post-concert party at the Georgia Governor's mansion for Bob Dylan.
• 1982 - B.B. King donated his 20,000 disk record collection to Mississippi University's center for the Study of Southern Culture.
• 1987 - Jackie Wilson, the Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, B.B. King, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Smokey Robinson, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, Leonard Chess, Ahmet Ertegun, Louis Jordan, the songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller, Clyde McPhatter, producer Jerry Wexler and Big Joe Turner are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• 1992 - Billy Idol plead guilty to assault and battery stemming from an altercation outside of a West Hollywood restaurant.
• 1998 - James Brown was released from a hospital where he was being treated for addiction to pain killers.
• 1999 - Gary Glitter appeared in court on charges of eight sexual offences with underage girls.
• 2003 - Jethro Tull keyboard player David Palmer became Dee Palmer after a sex change operation.
• 2004 - Johnny Quaid and Danny Cash quit My Morning Jacket due to tour fatigue.
• 2004 - Warren Haynes joined the Dead.
• 2004 - Jay-Z was part of the group that bought the New Jersey Nets for $300 million.
• 2006 - Bon Jovi escaped serious injury when a plane on which they were riding skidded off the runway at Hamilton International Airport.

Marriages

• 1935 - Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly) and Martha Primrose
• 1966 - George Harrison and Patti Boyd.

Recorded

• 1942 - One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie & His Orchestra
• 1949 - Tennessee Ernie Ford makes his first recordings for Capitol.
• 1957 - School Day - Chuck Berry
• 1965 - Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds (actually Roger McGuinn with a bunch of studio musicians. The song gets eventually released under the Byrds name)
• 1968 - All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

Awards

• 2001 - Golden Globe Awards
• Best Original Song - Things Have Changed - Bob Dylan

Broadcasts

• 1957 - Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts - Patsy Cline
• 1962 - Ed Sullivan Show (CBS) - Jackie Wilson
• 1990 - Unplugged (MTV) - Squeeze (premier)
• 1991 - Rapido (BBC 2) - Manic Street Preachers (U.K. TV debut)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 20

Paul Stanley of KISS

Birthdays

• 1888 - Leadbelly (born Huddie Ledbetter) (d. 1949)
• 1896 - George Burns (d. 1996)
• 1918 - Esquivel! (born Juan Esquivel) (d. 2002)
• 1922 - Ray Anthony (90)
• 1924 - Slim Whitman (88)
• 1933 - Ronald Townson (5th Dimension) (d. 2001)
• 1942 - William Powell (O'Jays) (d. 1977)
• 1943 - Rick Evans (Zager & Evans) (69)
• 1943 - Dave Libert (Happenings) (69)
• 1945 - Eric Stewart (Mindbenders, 10cc) (67)
• 1946 - Jimy Chambers (Mercury Rev, Londonbeat) (66)
• 1947 - George Grantham (Poco) (65)
• 1948 - Mel Pritchard (Barclay James Harvest) (d. 2004)
• 1951 - Ian Hill (Judas Priest) (61)
• 1952 - Paul Stanley (Kiss) (60)
• 1960 - Scott Thunes (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Waterboys) (52)
• 1965 - John Michael Montgomery (47)
• 1965 - Heather Small (M People) (47)
• 1965 - Greg Kriesel (Offspring) (47)
• 1966 - Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) (46)
• 1969 - Nicky Wire (born Nicholas Jones) (Manic Street Preachers) (43)
• 1970 - Edwin McCain (42)
• 1971 - ?uestlove (born Ahmir Thompson) (Roots) (41)
• 1971 - Gary Barlow (Take That) (41)
• 1971 - Derrick Green (Sepultura) (41)
• 1979 - Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park) (33)
• 1979 - Will Young (33)
• 1980 - Matthew Tuck (Bullet For My Valentine) (32)
• 1981 - Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol) (31)

Deaths

• 1965 - Alan Freed - Uremia and cirrhosis (43)
• 1996 - Buster Benton - Diabetes (63)
• 1999 - Bill Albaugh (Lemon Pipers) (53)
• 2000 - Ray Jones (Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas)

On This Day

• 1958 - "Record Breaking Week" ended at St. Louis station KWK where the management have the DJ's play every rock record in their library once and then break it to pieces. It was their way of "weeding out undesirable music."
• 1958 - Elvis Presley received his orders to report to the U.S. Army but was given a 60-day deferment to finish the movie King Creole.
• 1968 - A Carnegie Hall tribute to Woody Guthrie includes performances by Bob Dylan and the Band, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Odetta and Ramblin' Jack Elliott.
• 1969 - Flatt & Scruggs played at Richard Nixon's inauguration.
• 1972 - Pink Floyd premiered Dark Side of the Moon during a concert in Brighton, England.
• 1973 - Jerry Lee Lewis performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
• 1974 - Stevie Wonder played his first show since his serious auto accident.
• 1982 - Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off of what he thought was a rubber bat during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa. It turned out that the bat was real, Ozzy had to undergo rabies injections.
• 1986 - Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan played at a concert celebrating the first Martin Luther King Day.
• 1988 - The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Paul McCartney didn't attend, blaming ongoing business differences with other members of the group. Also inducted were the Beach Boys, the Drifters, Bob Dylan, the Supremes, Berry Gordy, Jr., Les Paul, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly.
• 1996 - Bobby Brown received a sentence of $1,000, two years probation and anger management classes after being found guilty of assaulting a security guard.
• 1997 - Russell Senior quit the group Pulp.
• 1997 - Ben and Jerry's introduced their new flavor Phish Food.
• 1998 - Alice Nutter said on a TV program that her group, Chumbawumba, supported people who steal their album. The Virgin Megastore chain pulled the CD from their stores.
• 1999 - Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots was arrested for failing to provide a urine sample as required by his 1997 conviction on heroin possession.
• 2001 - The memorial service was held for Kirsty MacColl who had been killed in a boating accident.
• 2003 - Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys made his Broadway debut in Chicago.

Recorded

• 1967 - Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
• 1969 - In the Ghetto and Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (first time recording in Memphis since 1958)
• 1973 - Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid - Bob Dylan (first day of recording soundtrack)

Released

• 1958 - Get a Job - Silhouettes (single)
• 1964 - Meet the Beatles - Beatles (U.S. debut)
• 1983 - Pyromania - Def Leppard

Awards

• 2002 - Golden Globes
• Best Song From a Motion Picture - Until - Sting (from Kate & Leopold)

Broadcasts

• 1965 - Shindig! (season premier) - Rolling Stones, Howlin' Wolf, the Kinks, the Dave Clark Five, Petula Clark, Bobby Vee, Bobby Sherman and Gerry & the Pacemakers.
• 1967 - The Monkees (U.K. debut)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 19

Dolly Parton

Birthdays

• 1911 - Ken Nelson (producer, member of Country Music Hall of Fame) (d. 2008_)
• 1914 - Lester Flatt (d. 1979)
• 1935 - Charlie Waller (Country Gentlemen) (d. 2004)
• 1939 - Phil Everly (Everly Brothers) (73)
• 1941 - Joe Butler (Lovin' Spoonful) (71)
• 1942 - Michael Crawford (70)
• 1943 - Janis Joplin (d. 1970)
• 1944 - Laurie London (68)
• 1944 - Shelly Fabares (68)
• 1946 - Dolly Parton (66)
• 1947 - Rod Evans (Deep Purple) (65)
• 1948 - Harvey Hinsley (Hot Chocolate) (64)
• 1949 - Robert Palmer (d. 2003)
• 1951 - Martha Davis (Motels) (61)
• 1952 - Dewey Bunell (America) (60)
• 1957 - Mickey Virtue (UB40) (55)
• 1963 - Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul) (49)
• 1968 - Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe) (44)
• 1969 - Trey Lorenz (43)
• 1971 - John Wozniak (Marcy Playground) (41)
• 1978 - Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) (34)
• 1978 - John Parker (Nizlopi) (34)
• 1979 - Wiley (born Richard Cowie) (33)

Deaths

• 1960 - Ralph Peer (engineer, producer, member of Country Music Hall of Fame) (67)
• 1995 - Gene MacLellan (songerwriter (Snowbird, Put Your Hand in the Hand) (56)
• 1998 - Carl Perkins - Throat cancer (65)
• 2000 - John Clayton-Felt (School of Fish) - Testicular cancer (32)
• 2006 - Wilson Pickett - Heart attack (64)
• 2007 - Denny Doherty (Mamas & the Papas) - Abdominal aneurysm (66)
• 2008 - John Stewart (Kingston Trio) - Stroke and brain aneurysm (68)

On This Day

• 1953 - Marty Robbins debuted at the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1957 - Pat Boone sang at President Eisenhower's inaugural ball.
• 1971 - Tracks from the White Album by the Beatles were played in the courtroom during the Sharon Tate murder trial to see if they could have influenced the Manson family.
• 1976 - Rock promoter Bill Sargent offered the Beatles $30 million to play together. They turned it down.
• 1977 - Aretha Franklin performed God Bless America at Jimmy Carter's inaugural eve gala. Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker would play the inauguration.
• 1978 - Johnny Rotten was fired from the Sex Pistols for not being "weird enough anymore."
• 1981 - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Donny & Marie Osmond sang at Ronald Reagan's inaugural ball.
• 1988 - Doc McGheep, the manager for both Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, plead guilty to the importation of over 40,000 pounds of marijuana into the U.S.
• 1990 - Reba McEntire's first film, Tremors, debuted.
• 1993 - A reformed Fleetwood Mac played the inauguration concert for Bill Clinton. The new president had used Don't Stop as the theme for his campaign.
• 1993 - The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a $2.5 million award to Tom Waits against Frito-Lay for their use of a sound-alike voice in the company's advertising.
• 1998 - Joey Ramone of the Ramones entered a New York hospital suffering from a blood related illness.
• 1998 - Pat Boone was presented with the first Michael the Archangel Award from the National Association of Police in recognition of his support of the families of officers killed in the line of duty.
• 1999 - Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural of Buckwheat Zydeco had surgery to remove lesions on his vocal chords.  

Recorded

• 1967 - A Day in the Life - Beatles (first day of recording)
• 1988 - And Justice For All - Metallica (first day of recording)

Awards

• 1997 - Golden Globes
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical - Madonna (Evita)

Broadcasts

• 1957 - Jackie Gleason Show - Johnny Cash (first U.S. network appearance)
• 1963 - Thank Your Lucky Stars (U.K.) - Beatles (first national appearance in the U.K.)
• 1967 - Batman (ABC) - Lesley Gore (played Pussycat, the sidekick of Catwoman)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 18

Bobby Goldsboro

Birthdays

• 1938 - Berman Patterson (Cleftones) (74)
• 1941 - Bobby Goldsboro (71)
• 1941 - David Ruffin (Temptations) (d. 1991)
• 1944 - Legs Larry Smith (Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band) (68)
• 1951 - Adrian Baker (61)
• 1952 - R. Stevie Moore (60)
• 1953 - Brett Hudson (Hudson Brothers) (59)
• 1956 - Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins) (56)
• 1956 - Mark Collie (56)
• 1959 - Bob Rosenberg (Will to Power) (53)
• 1970 - DJ Quik (born David Blake) (42)
• 1971 - Jonathan Davis (Korn) (41)
• 1973 - Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) (39)
• 1973 - Luther Dickinson (Black Crowes) (39)
• 1974 - Christian Burns (BBMak) (38)
• 1977 - Richard Archer (Hard-Fi) (35)
• 1980 - Estelle (born Estelle Swaray) (32)
• 1983 - Samantha Mumba (29)

Deaths

• 1990 - Melanie Appleby (Mel & Kim) - Liver cancer (23)
• 1995 - Charles Baskerville (Shep & the Limelites) (54)
• 1997 - Keith Diamond (songwriter, Suddenly, Caribbean Queen) - Heart attack
• 2007 - Brent Liles (Social Distortion) (43)
• 2010 - Kate McGarrigle - Cancer (63)
• 2011 - Don Kirshner - Heart failure (77)

On This Day

• 1944 - The first jazz concert was held at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.  Appearing were Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden.
• 1964 - The Beatles made their U.S. chart debut with I Want to Hold Your Hand. It started at number 45 and eventually went to number 1.
• 1965 - Barbra Streisand and Bobby Darin sang at Lyndon Johnson's inauguration.
• 1969 - Pete Best won a defamation suit against the Beatles.
• 1973 - The Rolling Stones raised $200,000 with a benefit for Nicaraguan earthquake victims. Mick Jagger donated another $150,000.
• 1974 - Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke (Free), Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople) and Boz Burrell (King Crimson) formed Bad Company.
• 1978 - Neil Sedaka received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 1980 - Capricorn Records filed for bankruptcy.
• 1981 - Wendy O. Williams of the Plasmatics was arrested by Milwaukee police for simulating sex with a sledgehammer during the group's concert.
• 1984 - Van Halen opened their North American 1984 tour in Jacksonville, FL.
• 1989 - The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Otis Redding and Dion were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Wonder was the youngest person ever inducted.
• 1991 - Three concert goers were killed during a show by AC/DC in Salt Lake City, UT.
• 1993 - Elton John resigned as director of the Watford Football Club.
• 2005 - Motown's Norman Whitfield was found guilty of failing to report over $2 million in royalty income and was sentenced to six months of house arrest and a $25,000 fine.
• 2008 - Four members of the paparazzi were arrested for reckless driving after chasing a car that contained Britney Spears.

Marriages

• 1987 - Steve Winwood and Eugenia Grafton

Divorces

• 1996 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley
• 2001 - Noel Gallagher (Oasis) and Meg Matthews
• 2004 - Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd

Recorded

• 1944 - Walking the Floor Over You - Ernest Tubb
• 1965 - The Last Time, Play With Fire - Rolling Stones
• 1973 - Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd (recording began)

Read more...

Music Almanac: January 17

Kid Rock

Birthdays

• 1927 - Eartha Kitt (d. 2008)
• 1929 - Grady Martin (Nashville A-Team) (d. 2001)
• 1936 - Elsberry Hobbs (Drifters) (76)
• 1943 - Chris Montez (69)
• 1944 - Françoise Hardy (68)
• 1945 - William Hart (Delfonics) (67)
• 1949 - Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) (63)
• 1953 - Sheila Hutchinson (Emotions) (59)
• 1954 - Cheryl Bentyne (Manhattan Transfer) (58)
• 1955 - Steve Earle (57)
• 1956 - Paul Young (56)
• 1958 - Jez Strode (Kajagoogoo) (54)
• 1959 - Susanna Hoffs (Bangles) (53)
• 1960 - John Crawford (Berlin) (52)
• 1961 - Dave Collard (JoBoxers) (51)
• 1963 - Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, Helloween) (49)
• 1964 - Andy Rourke (Smiths) (48)
• 1966 - Shabba Ranks (46)
• 1971 - John Wysocki (Staind) (41)
• 1971 - Kid Rock (born Robert Ritchie) (41)
• 1978 - Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) (34)
• 1981 - Ray J (born William Norwood, Jr.) (31)
• 1982 - Alex Varkatzas (Atreyu) (30)
• 1984 - Calvin Harris (28)

Deaths

• 1956 - Blind Alfred Reed - Starvation (reported) (75)
• 1970 - Billy Stewart - Car crash (32)
• 1998 - Junior Kimbrough (born David Kimbrough) - Heart attack (67)
• 1998 - Cliffie Stone (Country Music Hall of Fame member) - Heart attack (80)

On This Day

• 1966 - The series The Monkees was purchased by NBC for the fall season.
• 1969 - The book Ode to a High Flying Bird by Charlie Watts was released. It was a tribute to Charlie Parker.
• 1971 - Marvin Gaye sang the national anthem at Super Bowl V.
• 1972 - Part of Bellevue Boulevard in Memphis was renamed Elvis Presley Drive.
• 1974 - Dino Martin, the son of Dean Martin, was arrested for trying to sell two AK-47 machine guns to an undercover agent.
• 1979 - Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstadt and Emmylou Harris announced they would be recording an album.
• 1981 - Motley Crue was formed with Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Greg Leon. Mick Mars and Vince Neil joined later.
• 2003 - Lou Rawls was arrested in Albuquerque, NM for battery after getting into a shoving match with his girlfriend.

Recorded

• 1936 - Bill & Charlie Monroe cut their first sides for Bluebird Records.
• 1970 - Absolutely Live - Doors (recorded at New York's Felt Forum)

Released

• 1964 - Rolling Stones - Rolling Stones (EP)
• 1969 - Lady Samantha - Reginald Kenneth Dwight (U.K. Single, Elton John)
• 1973 - Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich

Awards

• 2000 - American Music Awards
• Pop/Rock Male Artist - Will Smith
• Pop/Rock Female Artist, Country Female Artist - Shania Twain
• Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group - Backstreet Boy
• Pop/Rock Album - Supernatural - Santana
• Pop/Rock New Artist - Britney Spears
• Soul/R&B Male Aritst - R. Kelly
• Soul/R&B Female Artist - Lauryn Hill
• Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group - TLC
• Soul/R&B Album - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
• Soul/R&B New Artist - Tyrese
• Country Male Artist - Garth Brooks
• Country Band, Duo or Group - Brooks & Dunn
• Country Album - Double Live - Garth Brooks
• Country New Artist - Montgomery Gentry
• Adult Contemporary Artist - Phil Collins
• Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - DMX
• Alternative Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Latin Artist - Ricky Martin
• Achievement Award - Mariah Carey
• Award of Merit - Gloria Estefan

Broadcasts

• 1992 - Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (CBS)
• 1999 - The Simpsons (Fox) - Cyndi Lauper
• 1999 - This is Garth Brooks (NBC) - Garth Brooks

Read more...