Songs That Changed the World--The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: "99 Luftballons (Red Balloons)" by Nena

There Germany was, with bombs pointed at them from all directions.  They had a little bit different perspective given that situation and understandably nervousness.  So when they made a parody of the United States and the Soviet Union and the idiocy of a goal to "survive a nuclear war", you can see where they were coming from.  Not only that, but their story was told in a brilliant way.

"99 Red Balloons"

by Nena

Lyrics By Carlo Karges, Music By Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen




You and I in a little toy shop
buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
Set them free at the break of dawn
'Til one by one, they were gone
Back at base, bugs in the software
Flash the message, "Something's out there"
Floating in the summer sky
99 red balloons go by.

99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it's red alert
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine, it springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
Focusing it on the sky
As 99 red balloons go by.

99 Decision Street, 99 ministers meet
To worry, worry, super-scurry
Call out the troops now in a hurry
This is what we've waited for
This is it boys, this is war
The president is on the line
As 99 red balloons go by.

99 Kriegsminister
Streichholz und Benzinkanister
Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
Witterten schon fette Beute
Riefen: Krieg und wollten Macht
Mann, wer haette das gedacht
Dass es einmal soweit kommt
Wegen 99 Luftballons

99 dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon
It's all over and I'm standin' pretty
In the dust that was a city
If I could find a souvenir
Just to prove the world was here...
And here it is, a red balloon
I think of you and let it go. 

"99 Luftballons"

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht g'rad an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und dass so was von so was kommt

99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All
Darum schickte ein General
'ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher
Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär
Dabei war'n da am Horizont
Nur 99 Luftballons

99 Düsenjäger
Jeder war ein großer Krieger
Hielten sich für Captain Kirk
Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk
Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft
Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht
Dabei schoss man am Horizont
Auf 99 Luftballons

99 Kriegsminister -
Streichholz und Benzinkanister -
Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
Witterten schon fette Beute
Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht
Mann, wer hätte das gedacht
Dass es einmal soweit kommt
Wegen 99 Luftballons

99 Jahre Krieg
Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr
Und auch keine Düsenflieger
Heute zieh' ich meine Runden
Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen
Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen

This Date in Rock Music History: November 5

1956:  The Nat King Cole Show debuted on NBC-TV.

1960:  Johnny Horton ("Battle of New Orleans" and "North to Alaska") was killed in a car accident in Milano, Texas at age 33.
1963:  The Beatles gave two shows at the Adelphi Cinema in Slough, England.
1965:  The Doors were at the Pioneer Club Boat Ride in Los Angeles.

1966:  The New Vaudeville Band shot up from 66 to 24 with "Winchester Cathedral".


1966:  The Monkees scored a rarity when their first single "Last Train to Clarksville" went to #1.
1967:  Kenny Rogers & the First Edition made their national television debut on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS.
1967:  Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees was on board a train in Southeast London that killed 49 people and injured 78.  Robin was treated for shock after the tragedy but was otherwise OK.

1969:  Jerry Reed recorded "Amos Moses".
1970:  Peter Noone, lead singer of Herman's Hermits, married wife Mireille.  The couple celebrate their 41st anniversary today.

1970:  Brian Wilson, the genius behind the Beach Boys, joined the group for a rare live performance at the famous Whisky-a-Go-Go on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.  However, the volume level damaged Wilson's right ear and he lost his balance several times during the concert before he had to be helped back stage.

1971:  Elton John released the album Madman Across the Water.
1971:  Elvis Presley began a tour at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  It was here that announcer Al Dvorin spoke the now-famous phrase:  "Elvis has left the building."  He made the announcement to attempt to quiet fans who continued to call for an encore.
1972:  The second television special of the Jackson 5, The Jackson 5 Show, aired on CBS.

1973:  Stevie Wonder released the single "Living for the City".
1973:  John Lennon released the single "Mind Games".
1973:  While the Who were performing in Newcastle, England, a backing tape was 15 seconds behind Keith Moon's drumming.  Pete Townshend stormed off stage and didn't come back for a half an hour.

1977:  Abba had the #1 song in the U.K. with "The Name of the Game".


1977:  A new promising act was emerging and on this day, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers first appeared on the charts, debuting with their single "Breakdown".

                 Heatwave had dance floors filled

1977:  Debby Boone had the top song for a fourth week with "You Light Up My Life".  Carly Simon was the runner-up gal with "Nobody Does It Better".  Heatwave was catching fire with "Boogie Nights", Shaun Cassidy fell with "That's Rock 'N' Roll" and the Commodores solidified at #5 with "Brick House".  The rest of the Top 10:  "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" from Barry White, Donna Summer's pulsating "I Feel Love", Crystal Gayle joined the party with "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", Chicago had their 12th Top 10 hit with "Baby, What a Big Surprise" and Paul Nicholas went up with "Heaven on the 7th Floor".
1982:  Brian Wilson was fired from the Beach Boys.

1983:  The Culture Club had a hot mover (40-26)--"Church of the Poison Mind".
1983:  Lionel Richie had the #1 R&B song for the third consecutive week with "All Night Long (All Night)".
1983:  "Islands In the Stream" from Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton floated on top once again for a fourth week on the AC chart.
1983:  The Police spent their 15th week at #1 on the album chart with Synchronicity.

1984:  Bruce Springsteen released the single "Born in the U.S.A."
1986:  Bobby Nunn of the Coasters died of heart failure in Los Angeles at the age of 61.
1988:  Luther Vandross owned the #1 R&B song with "Any Love".

1988:  New Jersey was the #1 album for a fourth week for Bon Jovi.  Guns N' Roses remained at #2 with Appetite for Destruction while the "Cocktail" Soundtrack was third.  Def Leppard's amazing album Hysteria was still at #4 after 64 weeks and U2's live album Rattle and Hum climbed from 14 to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel (he's one to talk), Bobby McFerrin dropped with Simple Pleasures, George Michael spent a 51st week on the chart with Faith, Tracy Chapman's debut was at #9 and the Metallica release ...And Justice for All was #10.

1988:  In one of the great stories of the Rock Era, the Beach Boys rose to #1 with "Kokomo", their fifth career #1 and their first in 22 years.  The Escape Club moved up with "Wild, Wild West" and the former #1 "Groovy Kind of Love" from Phil Collins was third.  The third version of "The Loco-Motion", written by Stanley, Idaho's Carole King, to hit the Top 10 (a Rock Era record) was by Kylie Minogue, Bon Jovi moved from 10-5 with "Bad Medicine" and Whitney Houston was at #6 with "One Moment In Time".  The rest of the Top 10:  Inxs with "Never Tear Us Apart", U2 moved from 14-8 with "Desire", UB40's former #1 "Red Red Wine" was ninth and Information Society had the final spot with "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)".

1988:  Whitney Houston held on to the top spot with her seventh #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart--"One Moment In Time".

1989:  Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, who had the #1 hit "The Ballad of the Green Berets", died just four days after his 49th birthday in Tennessee.  Sadler had been shot a year before while in Guatemala City, Guatemala while riding in a taxi and was in a coma for months.
1994:  Sheryl Crow achieved her first Top 10 song in the U.K. with "All I Wanna' Do".
1994:  Brandy notched another week at #1 on the R&B chart with "I Wanna' Be Down".

1994:  The Eagles' first single in 14 years-"Get Over It" moved from 61-43.
1995:  Queen released their first studio album since the death of lead singer Freddy Mercury on November 24, 1991 from AIDS.
1995:  Jackson Browne (as the Scarecrow), Roger Daltrey as the Tin Man, Jewel as Dorothy and Nathan Lane as the Cowardly Lion appeared at The Wizard of Oz in Concert, a benefit for the Children's Defense Fund.
1998:  Liam Gallagher of Oasis was arrested for attacking a photographer and damaging his camera equipment.
2000:  U2 scored another #1 album in the U.K. with All That You Can't Leave Behind.
2000:  Westlife made it seven #1 songs in the U.K. with "My Love".
2002:  Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, who had been murdered on October 30, was laid to rest in Queens, New York.

2003:  Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers was found dead in his hotel room in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where the duo were in concert.  Hatfield was 63.  See you in Rock & Roll Heaven, Bobby!
2003:  OutKast climbed back up to #1 on the album chart with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

2005:  Elite guitarist Link Wray died at the age of 76.  Wray invented what became known as the "fuzz guitar" when he punched a hole in a speaker to give his guitar a distorted sound.


Born This Day:

1941:  Art Garfunkel was born in Queens, New York.
1943:  Pablo Gomez of Los Bravos, who gave us the great song "Black Is Black" from 1966, was born in Barcelona, California.
1946:  Gram Parsons of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers was born in Winter Haven, Florida; died September 19, 1973 of a drug overdose in Joshua Tree, California at the age of 26.

1947:  Peter Noone, lead singer of Herman's Hermits, was born in Manchester, England.
1948:  Don McDougal, guitarist of the Guess Who, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1950:  Dennis Provisor, talented songwriter, singer and keyboardist of the Grass Roots, was born in Los Angeles, California.
1956:  Helen O'Hara of Dexy's Midnight Runners ("Come On Eileen" from 1983) was born in Bristol, England.
1957:  David Moyse, guitarist of Air Supply
1957:  Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls ("I Ran (So Far Away)")

1959:  Bryan Adams was born in Kingston, Ontario.
1959:  Robert Fisher of Clime Fisher, who wrote songs for Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and Jermaine Jackson; died of cancer August 25, 1999.
1961:  David Bryson of the Counting Crowes
1971:  Jonny Greeenwood, guitarist and keyboardist of Radiohead, was born in Oxford, England.
1987:  Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers was born in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Hits List: Donna Summer

This woman with the amazing voice is one of the great entertainers of the Rock Era.  She obviously is also one of The Top Artists of the Rock Era*, as evidenced by the tremendous Hits List:


1972:  "If You Walkin' Alone"
1974:  "Denver Dream"
           "The Hostage" (#2 Germany, #2 Netherlands)
           "Lady of the Night" (#40 Germany, #4 Netherlands)



1975:  "Virgin Mary"
           "Love to Love You Baby" (#2, #2 R&B, #4 U.K., #2 Canada, #4 Australia, #5 Germany, #13 Netherlands)
1976:  "Could It Be Magic" (#52, #21 R&B, #40 U.K., #45 Canada, #23 Germany, #5 Netherlands)
           "Try Me, I Know We Can Make It" (#80, #35 R&B, #42 Germany)
           "Wasted"
           "Spring Affair" (#58, #24 R&B, #38 Canada, #25 Netherlands)
1977:  "Winter Melody" (#43, #21 R&B, #27 U.K., #41 Canada)
           "Can't We Just Sit Down (And Talk It Over)" (#20 R&B)
           "I Feel Love" (#6, #9 R&B, #1 U.K., #2 Canada, #1 Australia, #2 Germany, #1 Netherlands)
           "Shut Out" (with Paul Jabara)
           "Down Deep Inside (Theme From "The Deep)" (#5 U.K., #70 Australia, #25 Germany, #5 Netherlands)
           "I Remember Yesterday" (#14 U.K., #20 Netherlands)
           "Love's Unkind" (#3 U.K.,  #18 Germany, #28 Netherlands)
           "I Love You" (#37, #28 R&B, #10 U.K., #32 Canada, #47 Australia, #6 Netherlands)--underrated
           "Fairy Tale High"
1978:  "Rumour Has It" (#53, #21 R&B, #19 U.K., #37 Canada, #21 Germany, #20 Netherlands)
           "Back in Love Again" (#29 U.K.)
           "Last Dance" (#3, #5 R&B, #51 U.K., #3 Canada, #69 Australia, #10 Netherlands)
           "Je t'aime...moi non plus"
           "MacArthur Park" (#1, #8 R&B, #5 U.K., #1 Canada, #8 Australia, #39 Germany, #8 Netherlands)



1979:  "Heaven Knows" (with Brooklyn Dreams) (#4, #10 R&B, #34 U.K., #2 Canada, #15 Australia)
           "Hot Stuff" (#1, #3 R&B, #11 U.K., #1 Canada, #1 Australia, #5 Germany, #21 Netherlands)
           "Bad Girls" (#1, #1 R&B, #14 U.K., #1 Canada, #14 Australia, #9 Germany, #10 Netherlands)
           "Dim All the Lights" (#2, #13 R&B, #29 U.K., #3 Canada, #25 Germany, #28 Netherlands)
           "No More Tears (Enough is Enough) (with Barbra Streisand--#1, #20 R&B, #3 U.K., #1 Canada, #8 Australia, #31 Germany, #27 Netherlands)
           "Never Lose Your Sense of Humor" (with Paul Jabara)
1980:  "On the Radio" (#5, #9 R&B, #32 U.K., #4 Canada, #36 Australia, #34 Germany, #27 Netherlands)
           "Sunset People" (#46 U.K., #42 Netherlands)
           "Our Love"
           "Walk Away" (#36, #35 R&B, #36 Canada)
           "The Wanderer" (#3, #13 R&B, #48 U.K., #3 Canada, #6 Australia, #30 Netherlands)
           "Cold Love" (#33, #44 U.K., #29 Canada)
1981:  "Who Do You Think You're Foolin'" (#40, #39 Canada, #100 Australia)
1982:  "Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)" (#10, #4 R&B, #18 U.K., #10 Canada, #17 Australia, #12 Netherlands)
           "State of Independence" (#41, #31 R&B, #14 .K., #35 Canada, #30 Australia, #3 Netherlands)
           "I Feel Love" (remix) (#21 U.K.)
           "The Woman in Me" (#33, #30 R&B, #62 U.K., #18 Canada, #12 Netherlands)--underrated



1983:  "Protection"
           "She Works Hard for the Money" (#3, #1 R&B, #25 U.K., #2 Canada, #4 Australia, #11 Germany, #18 Netherlands)
            "Unconditional Love" (with Musical Youth) (#43, #9 R&B, #14 U.K., #28 Canada, #57 Australia)
             "People, People"
             "He's a Rebel"
             "Love Has a Mind of Its Own" (with Matthew Ward) (#70, #35 R&B, #44 Canada)
1984:  "Stop, Look and Listen" (#57 U.K.)
            "There Goes My Baby" (#21, #20 R&B, #99 U.K., #22 Canada, #52 Australia, #31 Netherlands)
             "Supernatural Love" #75, #51 R&B)
1985:  "Eyes" (#97 U.K.)
1987:  "Dinner with Gershwin" (#48, #10 R&B, #13 U.K., #39 Canada, #43 Netherlands)
            "Only the Fool Survives" (with Mickey Thomas) (#40 Canada)
1988:  "All Systems Go" (#54 U.K.)



1989:  "This Time I Know It's for Real" (#7, #3 U.K., #3 Canada, #4 Australia, #15 Germany, #6 Netherlands)
             "I Don't Wanna' Get Hurt" (#7 U.K., #25 Germany, #29 Netherlands)
             "Love's About to Change My Heart" (#85, #20 U.K., #83 Australia, #59 Netherlands)
             "When Love Takes Over You" (#72 U.K.)
             "In Another Place and Time" (#24 Australia)
1990:  "State of Independence" (new mix) (#45 U.K., #69 Netherlands
1991:  "Breakaway" (remix) (#49 U.K.)
            "When Love Cries" (#77, #18 R&B)
1992:  "Carry On" (with Giorgio Moroder) (#65 U.K.)
1993:  "La Vie en Rose"
1994:  "Melody of Love (Wanna' Be Loved)" (#21 U.K.)
            "Any Way at All"
1995:  "I Feel Love" (remix) (#8 U.K., #26 Netherlands)
1996:  "Whenever There Is Love" (with Bruce Roberts)
            "State of Independence" (new mix) (#13 U.K.)
            "Does He Love You" (with Liza Minnelli)
1999:  "I Will Go with You (Con te Partiro)" (#79, #44 U.K., #35 Canada, #59 Netherlands)
            "Love Is the Healer"
            "Last Dance" (re-release)
2000:  "The Power of One"
2004:  "You're So Beautiful"
            "Dream-A-Lot's Theme (I Will Live for Love)"
2005:  "I Got Your Love"
2006:  "Power of Love"
2008:  "I'm a Fire"
            "Stamp Your Feet" (#88 Germany)
            "It's Only Love"
            "Sand on My Feet" (#30 Canada)
2009:  "Fame (The Game)"



2010:  "To Paris with Love"

That's 33 hits with 14 going Top 10 and 5 solid #1's for Donna.  She has had 31 R&B hits with 12 Top 10 songs and three #1's.

Songs That Changed the World--The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

It's sad to think that many women live in fear and hopelessness, living in a hurtful and depressing relationship and thinking there is no way out.  Enter Gloria Gaynor and her incredible song "I Will Survive".  The powerful song told of a way out to a better life and a better relationship, one filled with love, mutual respect and understanding.  The song not only is one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era and not only sent a message to women; it sent a message to men that they better learn how to treat a woman.

"I Will Survive"

 by Gloria Gaynor

Written By Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren

At first I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live
without you by my side

But then I spent so many nights
thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along

And so you're back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
with that sad look upon your face

I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother me

Go on now go, walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
Did you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I

I will survive
oh as long as i know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive (hey hey)

It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart
kept trying hard to mend
the pieces of my broken heart

And I spent oh so many nights
just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high

And you see me
somebody new
I'm not that chained up little person
still in love with you
and so you felt like dropping in
and just expect me to be free
But now I'm saving all my loving
for someone who's loving me

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye
Did you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I

I will survive
oh as long as i know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive (oh)

Go on now go, walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye
Did you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I

I will survive
oh as long as i know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive
I will survive...!

This Date in Rock Music History: November 4

1957:  We first heard of a new singer from Detroit on this date as Jackie Wilson debuted with his first chart single--"Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet)".


1959:  Marty Robbins released the single "El Paso".
1961:  Bob Dylan's live debut in New York City was seen by 43 people at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
1963:  The Kingsmen released their version of "Louie, Louie".


1963:  The Singing Nun released the single "Dominique".

1963:  The Beatles performed for Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon at the Royal Variety Performance in London.  It was here that John Lennon famously said "Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands.  All the rest of you, rattle your jewelry."
1964:  The Beatles finished recording the album Beatles for Sale.
1965:  The Rolling Stones' single "Get Off of My Cloud" topped the U.K. chart.

1967:  "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave was #1 on the R&B chart for a third week.
1969:  Led Zeppelin performed before 2,000 fans at  Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
1970:  The Beach Boys famously appeared at the Whiskey-A-GoGo on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
1972:  Johnny Nash was the proud new owner of the #1 R&B song with "I Can See Clearly Now".

1972:  Johnny Nash climbed all the way to #1 with "I Can See Clearly Now".  The classic Moody Blues track "Nights In White Satin" was one step away.
1973:  Pink Floyd and Soft Machine performed a benefit for Machine drummer Robert Wyatt at the Rainbow Theatre in London.  Wyatt was paralyzed after falling from an open window during a party earlier in the year.

1974:  Elton John released his Greatest Hits album.

1974:  The Beatles were famous for double-sided hits and Paul McCartney continued the practice with his group Wings as they released "Junior's Farm"/

"Sally G".

1976:  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were in concert at the Palladium Theatre in New York City.
1977:  The movie The Last Waltz, which featured the Band's final concert and also featured Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Van Morrison and Dr. John, premiered in New York City.
1978:  Boston made their live debut in their hometown at the Boston Garden in Massachusetts.
1978:  Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down the Line" was on target for the fourth straight week as the #1 Adult Contemporary song.

     Little River Band with one of their biggest career hits

1978:  Anne Murray had her first #1 song with "You Needed Me".  Donna Summer was within reach with "MacArthur Park".  The Little River Band remained at #3 with "Reminiscing, Foreigner jumped from 7-4 with "Double Vision" and Kenny Loggins held steady with "Whenever I Call You Friend".  The rest of the Top 10:  Nick Gilder fell from 1 with "Hot Child in the City", Exile's great song "Kiss You All Over" was still at #7, Ambrosia stepped up with "How Much I Feel", the Rolling Stones moved in with "Beast of Burden" and Foxy had #10--"Get Off".

1978:  Linda Ronstadt rose to #1 on the album chart with Living in the U.S.A.
1982:  Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads welcomed son Robert into their family.
1984:  Prince performed at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
1986:  Jerry Butler, lead singer of the Impressions and a solo star ("He Will Break Your Heart" from 1960) was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners of Chicago, Illinois.

1989:  Phil Collins, Sting, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Terence Trent D'arby were on the music show Rapido on BBC-TV.

1989:  Elton John posted his 50th hit in the U.K. with "Sacrifice", following only Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard as the only ones to accomplish the feat.
1989:  "You Are My Everything" by Surface rose to the top of the R&B chart.

     The B-52's with their outrageous song "Love Shack"

1989:  Roxette reached #1 with "Listen to Your Heart".  New Kids on the Block were up to #2 with "Cover Girl" and the previous #1 "Miss You Much" from Janet Jackson was #3.  Paula Abdul--"(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" and "Love Shack" from the B-52's entered the Top 10.
1991:  Jimi Hendrix, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the Yardbirds, the Isley Brothers, Sam & Dave, Johnny Cash and Bobby  Bland were elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

1992:  The famous songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin signed a $39-million publishing contract with Warner-Chappell music.

1994:  Fred "Sonic" Smith, guitarist if MC5 and husband of Patti Smith ("Because the Night from 1978), died of a heart attack in Detroit, Michigan at age 45.
1995:  "Fantasy" from Mariah Carey was the top R&B song for a sixth week.

1995:  Mariah Carey spent a third week at #1 on the album chart with Daydream.  Alanis Morissette was now moving back up on the chart with Jagged Little Pill while Janet Jackson's compilation Design of a Decade 1986/1996 was third.  Hootie & the Blowfish were at #4 after 67 weeks with Cracked Rear View while the "Dangerous Minds" Soundtrack stood at #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Green Day's Insomniac fell to #6, Michael Bolton was at #7 with his Greatest Hits 1985-1995, TLC was up with Crazy Sexy Cool, Tim McGraw fell to #9 with All I Want and Shania Twain grabbed the last spot with The Woman In Me.

1995:  Mariah Carey made it six weeks at #1 with "Fantasy".
1998:  Don Henley, John Mellencamp
1999:  Elton John's extensive collection of photographs was exhibited at the Atlanta (Georgia) High Museum of Art.
2001:  Michael Jackson owned the #1 U.K. album with Invincible.
2002:  The book Journals, which featured letters and diary entries from Kurt Cobain, the late leader of Nirvana, was released.
2002:  Elton John and Bernie Taupin received the Music Industry Trusts Award in England for being one of the greatest songwriting partnerships of all-time.  They had come a long ways since working for peanuts writing songs for other artists without allowed to work on their own songs.
2003:  Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks and husband Gareth announced that they were expecting twins.
2003:  Missy Elliott was named the spokeswoman of Break the Cycle, a group devoted to ending domestic violence.

2004:  Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) owned the top two songs with "Lua" and "Take It easy (Love Nothing)".
2007:  The Eagles rose to #1 on the U.K. album chart with Long Road Out of Eden.
2010:  All five members of the Backstreet Boys performed on Oprah on television, the first time the group had been together in four years.


Born This Day:
1938:  Harry Elson of Friends of Distinction ("Grazing in the Grass")

1940:  Delbert McClinton, who taught John Lennon how to play harmonica and was a successful singer ("Giving It Up for Your Love" in 1981), was born in Lubbock, Texas.
1947:  Mike Smith, saxophonist of Amen Corner

1954:  Yanni, new age superstar, was born in Kalamata, Greece.
1954:  Chris Difford of Squeeze ("Tempted") was born in Greenwich, London.
1956:  James Honeyman-Scott, the great guitarist of the Pretenders, was born in Hereford, England; died from drugs in 1982.
1965:  Jeff Scott Soto, lead singer for Yngwie Malmsteen's band and Journey in 2006-2007, was born in Brooklyn, New York.  
1966:  Kool Rock (real name Damon Wimbley) of the Fat Boys ("Wipe-Out" from 1988)

1969:  Puff Daddy, Diddy, P.Diddy, Sean "Puffy Combs" and other assorted names was born in Harlem, New York.
1971:  Shawn Rivera, singer/songwriter, percussionist, producer and arranger of Az Yet

Songs That Changed the World--The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: "Love Child" by the Supremes

If this song made one couple stop and think, it did its job.  The words are so powerful that it is a message that can't be ignored.  Rushing to gratification in the heat of passion has consequences and could result in misery for the three people involved (the two lovers and the child they are creating).  The Supremes had a lot of great songs but this one is the most important one .

"Love Child"

by the Supremes

Written by Pam Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, Frank Wilson and Deke Richards

Tenement slum

You think that I dont feel love,
But what I feel for you is real love.
In others eyes I see reflected
A hurt, scorned, rejected.

Love child, never meant to be,
Love child, born in poverty,
Love child, never meant to be,
Love child, take a look at me.

Started my life in an old, cold run down tenement slum.
My father left, he never even married mom.
I shared the guilt my mama knew,
So afraid that others knew I had no name.

This love we're contemplating
Is worth the pain of waiting.
We'll only end up hating
The child we maybe creating.

Love child, never meant to be
Love child, (scorned by) society
Love child, always second best
Love child, different from the rest

Mm, baby (hold on, hold on, just a little bit)
Mm, baby (hold on, hold on, just a little bit)

I started school, in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out
I knew the way it felt, to always live in doubt
To be without the simple things
So afraid my friends would see the guilt in me.

Dont think that I dont need you,
Dont think I dont wanna please you,
No child of mine ll be bearing
The name of shame Ive been wearing.

Love child, love child, never quite as good
Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood

But I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you

This Date in Rock Music History: November 3

1956:  Fats Domino had the #1 R&B song with "Blueberry Hill".

1957:  Danny & the Juniors released the single "At the Hop".
1958:  Elvis Presley went on maneuvers with the U.S. Army's 32nd Tank Regiment near the German-Czechoslovakia border.

1958:  Tommy Edwards continued to hold the #1 song as "It's All in the Game" remained there for a sixth week.

1962:  Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass moved from 95 to 64 with their classic instrumental "The Lonely Bull".


1962:  The Crystals topped the chart with "He's a Rebel".  Gene Pitney moved up from behind with "Only Love Can Break a Heart" while the Contours' great song "Do You Love Me" sat at #3.  Bobby "Boris" Pickett fell from #1 with "Monster Mash" while Brenda Lee's new song "All Alone Am I reached #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  The 4 Seasons were on fire as "Big Girls Don't Cry" moved from 17 to 6 in just its third week, Johnny Mathis edged up with "Gina", Chubby Checker's "Limbo Rock (How low can you go?) moved from 18-8, Neil Sedaka had another big hit "Next Door to An Angel" and Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender" moved from 20-10.
1965:  The Beatles recorded "Michelle".
1967:  The Beatles completed work on the movie Magical Mystery Tour, filming at drummer Ringo Starr's house in Weybridge, Surrey, England.
1969:  The Supremes released the single "Someday We'll Be Together".
1972:  James Taylor and Carly Simon married during a small ceremony at Simon's Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York apartment.
1973:  The Eagles and Neil Young were in concert in Manchester, England.

                             Former James Gang member Joe Walsh had solo success


1973:  Goats Head Soup by the Rolling Stones was the #1 album but emerging superstar Elton John was up to #2 with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  The Allman Brothers Band threw their hats in the ring with Brothers and Sisters while Cheech & Chong couldn't find theirs despite the album Los Cochinos at #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  Let's Get It On from Marvin Gaye, Art Garfunkel had #6--Angel Clare, Stevie Wonder's great Innervisions was at #7, Joe Walsh's solo album The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get was at #8, 3 + 3 from the Isley Brothers and War's Deliver the Word at #10.
1973:  Gladys Knight & the Pips were on top of the R&B chart for the third week with "Midnight Train to Georgia".

1973:  Barry White moved from 99 to 65 with "Never, Never Gonna' Give Ya Up".
1973:  "Midnight Train to Georgia" was #1 on the popular chart for a second week, getting the Best of "Angie" from the Rolling Stones.  Eddie Kendricks found himself at #3 with "Keep On Truckin'" and Cher's former #1 "Half-Breed" was #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  Marie Osmond and "Paper Roses", although few stations played it, the DeFranco Family was at #6 with "Heartbeat - It's a Lovebeat", the Allman Brothers Band fell with "Ramblin' Man", Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" was down to #8, the Billy Preston instrumental "Space Race" climbed from 15-9 and Art Garfunkel enjoyed a Top 10 hit with "All I Know".
1977:  The Santa Monica Superior Court ordered Bob Dylan to return his children to his estranged wife Sara.

1978:  The Cars arrived in England for their first tour of the U.K.
1979:  Anne Murray held on to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for a fourth week with "Broken Hearted Me".
1979:  Kool & the Gang ruled the R&B chart with "Ladies Night".

              How long can Donna Summer hold a note?

1979:  M went all the way to the top with "Pop Muzik".  The Eagles were closing fast with "Heartache Tonight" and Donna Summer was in the mix with "Dim All the Lights".  The previous #1 "Rise" from Herb Alpert fell to #4 and the Commodores' new hit "Still" moved from 8 to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Michael Jackson with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", Styx snuck up from 14 to 7 with "Babe", "Tusk" from Fleetwood Mac was #8, Kenny Rogers was up to 9 with his great song "You Decorated My Life" and the collaboration of Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer--"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" moved from 33 to 10.

              Fleetwood Mac and the great album Tusk


1979:  The Eagles' great album The Long Run was rewarded at #1, finally moving another sensational album (In Through the Out Door by Led Zeppelin) from the top position.  Midnight Magic from the Commodores was at #3, Styx held on with Cornerstone and Head Games by Foreigner remained #5.  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  Cheap Trick's great album Dream Police, Fleetwood Mac debuted at #7 with Tusk, Herb Alpert and Rise, Michael Jackson's Off the Wall was #9 and Get the Knack from the Knack fell to #10.
1984:  Paul McCartney had the #1 album in the U.K. with the Soundtrack to "Give My Regards to Broad Street".
1984:  The top song on the R&B chart was "I Feel For You" by Chaka Khan.

1984:  He had been recording for nearly a decade and finally Billy Ocean reached #1 with "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)".  Billy replaced Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and Prince crawled up with "Purple Rain".  Chicago slipped from a peak of #3 with "Hard Habit to Break" and Wham! was up to #5 with "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".  The rest of the Top 10:  Madonna's "Lucky Star", John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band remained at #7 with "On the Dark Side", David Bowie had a rare Top 10 with "Blue Jean", Tina Turner was up from 16 to 9 with "Better Be Good to Me" and Chaka Khan's solo release "I Feel For You" was up from 15 to 10.

1984:  Purple Rain by Prince was the #1 album for the 14th week.  

1985:  Lionel Richie released the single "Say You Say Me".
1988:  The U2 movie Rattle and Hum opened in theaters, featuring the supergroup recorded live.
1990:  The Righteous Brothers had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Unchained Melody".
1990:  It was one of the better Top 10's late in the Rock Era.  Vanilla Ice moved to #1 with "Ice Ice Baby" but Janet Jackson was at #2 with "Black Cat" and Mariah Carey was up with "Love Takes Time".  Pebbles remained at #4 with "Giving You the Benefit" and James Ingram fell with his great song "I Don't Have the Heart".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Pray" from M.C. Hammer, "Can't Stop" by After 7, Alias moved up from 14 to 8 with "More Than Words Can Say", Inxs held steady with "Suicide Blonde" and Warrant had a Top 10 with "Cherry Pie".

1990:  Bette Midler enjoyed a #1 AC hit with "From a Distance".

                 George Michael was out with one of The Top 100 Albums of the Rock Era*.


1990:  M.C. Hammer held on to #1 on the album chart for the 21st week with Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, fifth most of the Rock Era.  To the Extreme by Vanilla Ice was #2, causing The Razor's Edge by AC/DC to fall.  Mariah Carey was there at #4 with her debut and the great Listen Without Prejudice by George Michael was #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  X by Inxs, Wilson Phillips and their debut, Family Style from the Vaughan Brothers, Warrant's Cherry Pie at #9 and Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe.

1991:  Color Me Badd released the single "All 4 Love".
1991:  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Journey, the Grateful Dead and Joan Baez performed at a free concert at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to honor promoter Bill Graham, who had been killed in a helicopter crash the week before.
1992:  Bon Jovi released their first album in five years--Keep the Faith.
1993:  Little Richard was a guest on Hearts Afire on CBS-TV.

1995:  Hootie and the Blowfish and Bob Dylan reached an out of court settlement for the group's unauthorized use of Dylan's lyrics in the song "Only Want to Be With You".

1997:  En Vogue released the single "Don't Let Me Go (Love)".
1998:  Celine Dion released the album These Are Special Times.
1998:  U2 released their compilation The Best of 1980-1990.

1998:  The John Lennon boxed set Anthology was released.
1998:  The Bee Gees released their great live album One Night Only.
1999:  The National Centre for Popular Music museum in England was saved from bankruptcy when creditors agreed to a deal.
2002:  Lonnie Donegan ("Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On the Bedpost Overnight)" died of a heart attack during a tour of the U.K. at the age of 71.
2002:  David Gray had the #1 song in the U.K. with "A New Day".
2002:  Santana's Shaman led the way on the U.S. album chart.
2003:  The great Alicia Keys made a surprise appearance at the Criterion Theatre in London and previewed her new album The Diary of Alicia Keys.

2004:  Eric Clapton was named Commander of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace in London.
2006:  Donny Osmond was on the soap opera All My Children on ABC-TV.

2006:  Paul Mauriat, who gave us the #1 Instrumental of the Rock Era*--"Love Is Blue" died in Perpignan, France at the age of 81.


Born This Day:

1933:  John Barry, who composed music for James Bond movies and many other memorable film scores, was born in York, England.
1941:  Brian Poole of the Tremeloes ("Silence Is Golden")
1945:  Nick Simper, bassist for Deep Purple, was born in Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex, England.
1946:  Tommy Dee of John Fred and His Playboy Band ("Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" from 1968)
1954:  Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard) was born in London.

1948:  Lulu was born in Glasgow, Scotland.