Friday, January 27, 2012

This Date in Rock Music History: January 27

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1956:  One of the most historic days of the Rock Era--Elvis Presley released the single "Heartbreak Hotel".  RCA had just purchased Elvis's contract from Sun Records for $35,000.  It seems the investment paid off.
1958:  Little Richard entered Oakwood Theological College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was ordained as a Seventh Day Adventist Minister.

1958:  For the fourth week, Danny & the Juniors held the #1 spot on the R&B chart with the classic "At the Hop".
1961:  Frank Sinatra played a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.
1962:  The Beatles played at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool, England for the final time.
1962:  Elvis Presley remained at #1 for a third week on the Easy Listening chart with "Can't Help Falling In Love".

1962:  Joey Dee & the Starliters reached #1 with "Peppermint Twist", putting an end to Chubby Checker's second run at #1 for "The Twist", and the only song of the Rock Era to be #1--twice.  There were two new songs in the Top 10:  "The Wanderer" from Dion, which moved from 18-8 and "Baby It's You" by the Shirelles".
 1964:  The Rolling Stones served as judges on the British television show Juke Box Jury.
1967:  The Beatles signed a new nine-year contract with EMI Records.
1968:  The Bee Gees were in concert for the first time in the United States at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

1968:  Many other people must have agreed with the sentiment, for the Temptations' new song "I Wish It Would Rain" moved from 45 to 15.
1968:  The Beatles had the top album with the Soundtrack to "Magical Mystery Tour", #1 for a fourth week. 
1971:  David Bowie's first trip to the United States revealed everything Americans needed to know--he wore dresses in Texas and Louisiana.
1973:  Timmy Thomas achieved a #1 R&B hit with "Why Can't We Live Together".

1973:  Carly Simon led the way on the album chart for a third week with No Secrets.  War moved to second with The World Is a Ghetto.  Stanley, Idaho's Carole King was still strong with Rhymes & Reasons but the big mover (11-4) was Stevie Wonder's excellent Talking Book album.

1973:  Stevie Wonder garnered another #1 song with "Superstition".  Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" was down after three weeks while Elton John edged up to 3 with "Crocodile Rock".
1977:  The Clash signed a recording contract with CBS Records.

                    "Soul Man" from the Blues Brothers...

1979:  The Stranger established Billy Joel as a star.  With his new album 52nd Street reaching #1 on this date, we knew he had staying power.  Briefcase of Blues from the fun Blues Brothers project was second with previous #1 Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Volume 2 slipping to third.  Neil Diamond was up with You Don't Bring Me Flowers and Rod Stewart bounced from 12 to 5 with his new release--Blondes Have More Fun.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. I, C'est Chic from Chic, Eric Clapton remained in the #8 spot with Backless, Barry Manilow entered the Top 10 with his Greatest Hits package and Double Vision from Foreigner was still #10.

                   Nothing like Hot Chocolate in the winter..

1979:  Chic made it five weeks at #1 with "Le Freak" while previous #1 "Too Much Heaven" by the Bee Gees was still at #2.  "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People was one better than "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" from Rod Stewart.  Billy Joel's big hit "My Life" was now at #5.  The rest of a solid Top 10:  "A Little More Love" from Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt held on with "Ooh Baby Baby", Toto was now at #8 with their debut "Hold the Line", Hot Chocolate poured into the Top 10 with their great song "Every 1's A Winner" and Earth, Wind & Fire completed the list with "September". 
1980:  Def Leppard played the first of two nights at the Marquee Club in London.  Tickets were $3.40 apiece.
1985:  Bumps Blackwell, producer for Little Richard ("Tutti Frutti"),  Sam Cooke ("You Send Me") and Bob Dylan (the album Shot of Love in 1981), died in Hacienda Heights, California.
1988:  Pink Floyd played the first of nine nights at the Entertainment Center in Sydney, Australia.

1990:  The mayor of Gainesville, Florida declared it Tom Petty Day after their native son.
1990:  "Here We Are" by Gloria Estefan was the new #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, her fifth #1 in that genre.
1990:  Phil Collins had a hot album out, as ...But Seriously remained at #1 for a third week.  Paula Abdul was moving back up after 80 weeks of release with her blockbuster Forever Your Girl at #2.

1991:  Whitney Houston sang the "Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXXV.
1993:  Warner Brothers Records released Ice-T from his contract because of "creative differences".  They could have made that decision when he auditioned.
1996:  Babylon Zoo had the top U.K. song with "Spaceman", which sold 420,000 copies in six days.
1996:  Oasis debuted at #21 with "Wonderwall".

1996:  It was the collaboration of the Rock Era no doubt, and Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men remained at #1 for the ninth straight week with "One Sweet Day".  Since September 30, 1995, Carey had been in the #1 position all but one week (November 25).  That included the first eight weeks for her solo hit "Fantasy" and now nine with "One Sweet Day".  The all-time record was 20 out of 22 by Boyz II Men in 1994-1995, but no one in the history of the Rock Era had ever been #1 in 17 of 18 weeks.   
1998:  James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm.

2002:  Enrique Iglesias topped the U.K. chart with "Hero".
2002:  Alan Jackson's great album Drive was #1.
2004:  Faith Evans was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana in Atlanta, Georgia.
2005:  R.E.M. had to cancel a concert for the first time in 10 years but this one was the fault of border guards.  The group was supposed to plat in St. Petersburg, Russsia but guards held their crew and gear at the Estonian/Russia border.
2005:  In today's edition of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, Master P and brother Silkk the Shocker were arrested on felony gun charges in Los Angeles after police found guns in their leased car that had no license plate.

2006:  Gene McFadden, singer-songwriter ("Back Stabbers" for the O'Jays in 1972 and, with John Whitehead, had the hit "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now") and producer, died of complications from cancer at age 57.

2011:  Gladys Horton, founder and lead singer of the Marvelettes died at a nursing home in Sherman Oaks, California at the age of 65 after suffering several strokes.


Born This Day:

1919:  Singer-songwriter and producer Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., who created the Chipmunks and released solo records under the name of David Seville.
1925:  Blues singer-songwriter Doc Pomus, who co-wrote "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "This Magic Moment" for the Drifters, was born in New York City.

1930:  Bobby Bland (54 R&B hits including "That's the Way Love Is" from 1963) was born in Rosemark, Tennessee.
1931:  Rudi Maugeri of the Crew Cuts
1937:  Buddy Emmons, steel guitarist who played for the Everly Brothers and J.J. Cale among others, was born in Mishawaka, Indiana.
1944:  Nick Mason, drummer of Pink Floyd, was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
1946:  Nedra Talley of the Ronettes was born in New York City.
1951:  Seth Justman, keyboardist of the J. Geils Band, was born in Washington, D.C.
1951:  Brian Downey, drummer with Thin Lizzy, was born in Dublin, Ireland.
1957:  Janick Robert Gers, lead guitarist of Iron Maiden, was born in Hartlepool, England.
1961:  Gillian Gilbert, keyboardist for New Order ("Blue Monday" from 1983), was born in Manchester, England.
1968:  Mike Patton of Faith No More was born in Eureka, California.
1970:  Mark Trojanowski, drummer of Sister Hazel ("All For You")
1974:  Mark Owen of Take That was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England.

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