This Date in Rock Music History: January 7

1955:  "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & the Comets debuted on the U.K. chart.
1961:  Johnny Tillotson had the #1 U.K. song with "Poetry In Motion".
1964:  Long John Baldry formed the Hoochie Coochie Men.
1964:  Cyril Davies, harmonica player who formed Blues Incorporated with Alexis Korner, died of leukemia at age 32.
1964:  The Beatles recorded for the BBC program Saturday Club, performing Chuck Berry's "Johnnie B. Goode", along with "All My Loving", "Money", "The Hippy Hippy Shake", "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "Roll Over Beethoven", and "I Wanna' Be Your Man".
1967:  The Doors and the Young Rascals played at Winterland in San Francisco, California.
1967:  Aaron Neville had the first #1 R&B song of the New Year with "Tell It Like It Is".


            The Four Tops vaulted into the Top 10
1967:  The Monkees continued at #1 into the New Year with "I'm a Believer".  One of the all-time great novelty songs, "Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen was second with Aaron Neville making a push for the top with "Tell It Like It Is".  Former #1 "Winchester Cathedral" by the New Vaudeville Band grabbed the #4 spot, followed by Nancy Sinatra ("Sugar Town") and Dad Frank ("That's Life"). The rest of the Top 10:  Boise, Idaho's Paul Revere & the Raiders with "Good Thing", the Mamas & Papas climbed from 19-8 with "Words of Love", the Four Tops nearly matched that with "Standing in the Shadows of Love (15-9) while Donovan took a turn down with "Mellow Yellow".

1967:  The Monkees made it nine weeks on top of the album chart with their self-titled release.
1970:  Max Yasgur was sued for $35,000 in property damages by neighboring farmers where the famous 1969 Woodstock Music Festival was held.  There's always party poopers.
1971:  Black Sabbath released the album Paranoid.
1974:  James Taylor and Carly Simon celebrated the birth of daughter Sarah Maria.
1974:  Aerosmith began a tour with a show at the Michigan Theater in Detroit.
1976:  Kenneth Moss, record company executive, was sentenced to 120 days in jail for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Robbie McIntosh, drummer of the Average White Band.  McIntosh died of drugs in 1974.

1978:  Con Funk Shun moved to #1 on the R&B chart with "Ffun", taking over from the seven-week chart topper "Serpentine Fire" from Earth, Wind & Fire.
1978:  Billy Joel had the new #1 adult song with "Just the Way You Are".
1978:  The Bee Gees made it three weeks at #1 with "How Deep Is Your Love".  Player made a move (6-2) with "Baby Come Back" while Linda Ronstadt remained third with "Blue Bayou".

                                              "The Chain"

1978:  Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, already the record holder for weeks at #1 with 29, returned to #1 on the album chart after 46 weeks of release.  
1981:  The Police kicked off their Zenyatta Mondatta tour at the University of Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
1984:  DeBarge logged a fifth straight week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Time Will Reveal".
1984:  Barry Manilow remained at #1 for a third week on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Read 'Em and Weep".

               The best song from Yes since "Roundabout"

1984:  Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson's fourth week at #1 with "Say Say Say" highlighted a good Top 10.  Hall & Oates had several #1's in their career but they couldn't quite do it here--"Say It Isn't So".  I know.  Double Duran ("Union of the Snake") and Yes ("Owner of a Lonely Heart") were content in their spots while Olivia Newton-John moved "Twist of Fate" to #5, although few stations played it.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Romantics moved from 12-6 with "Talking In Your Sleep", Matthew Wilder jogged up to #7 with "Break My Stride", Elton John registered his 18th Top 10 with "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", the Rolling Stones were stuck at 9 with "Undercover of the Night" and Lionel Richie was at 10 with "All Night Long (All Night)".

1984:  Thriller by Michael Jackson was still #1 in its fourth trip to the top of the album chart since it came out 55 weeks previous.  All told, the epic album had spent 21 weeks as the #1 album and at this point, was behind only Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (31) and the Soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever" (24).
1989:  Roberta Flack achieved a #1 R&B song with "Oasis".
    
        Jackson's 21st solo Top 10 in 31 attempts

1989:  Poison of all people had a #1 song for the third week with "Every Rose Has Its Thorn".  Bobby Brown was poised to take over with "My Prerogative" while "Two Hearts" from Phil Collins moved from 6 to 3.  Anita Baker peaked with "Giving You the Best That I Got" but the Bangles were on the move with "In Your Room".  The rest of a good Top 10:  Taylor Dayne with her fourth consecutive Top 10 to begin her career--"Don't Rush Me", Boy Meets Girl and "Waiting for a Star to Fall", Chicago's 44th career hit "Look Away", Def Leppard had a record fifth Top 20 song from a hard rock album (Hysteria) with "Armageddon It" and Michael Jackson joined the group with "Smooth Criminal".
1989:  "Two Hearts" by Phil Collins was the #1 Adult Contemporary song for the third week.

       A lot of great cuts on Hysteria, such as "Run Riot"

1989:  Anita Baker held on to #1 on the album chart for the third week with Giving You the Best That I Got.  The "Cocktail" Soundtrack and the "Rattle and Hum" Soundtrack trailed, while New Jersey from Bon JoviWilburys moved from 8-5 with Volume One.  The rest of the Top 10:  Def Leppard moved back up after 73 weeks with the incredible Hysteria album, Guns N' Roses and Appetite for Destruction, Bobby Brown was on the way down with Don't Be Cruel, Poison were at position #9 with Open Up and Say...Ahh! and Kenny G placed Silhouette at #10.
1993:  R.E.M. played a benefit show for Greenpeace at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia.
1995:  For the fifth straight week, TLC's "Creep" led the R&B chart.

"Love Will Keep Us Alive", one of four new songs on Hell Freezes Over

1994:  The Hits by Garth Brooks moved to #1 on the album chart followed by the previous #1 Miracles - The Holiday Album by Kenny G and Pearl Jam's excellent Vitalogy.  II by Boyz II Men was up to 4 while Hell Freezes Over by the Eagles captured the next position.  The rest of the Top 10:  Merry Christmas from Mariah Carey, Dookie by Green Day was moving back up after 46 weeks, MTV Unplugged in New York from Nirvana came in at #8, Smash by Offspring and the Beatles took #10 with Live at the BBC.
2000:  Bob McFadden ("The Mummy" from 1959) died of ALS in Delray Beach, Florida at the age of 76.
2004:  Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes and wife, actress Kate Hudson, celebrated the birth of son Ryder Russell Robinson in Los Angeles.
2004:  John Guerin, drummer who worked with Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Todd Rundgren, Frank Zapp and Gram Parsons, died frompneumonia at age 64.
2004:  OutKast again had the top album with the double release Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.  Alicia Keys was right behind with The Diary of Alicia Keys.
2006:  Pink married Carey Hart on a beach in Costa Rica.
2006:  The animal was finally caught and caged.  Gary Glitter ("Rock and Roll, Part II") was formally charged with committing obscene acts with two girls aged 11 and 12 in Vietnam.
2010:  The Royal Mail in Britain issued stamps which honored selected album covers such as Led Zeppelin IV and Let It Bleed.

2011:  Bobby Robinson, who produced hits for Gladys Night & the Pips, the Shirelles, Wilbert Harrison, Lee Dorsey, King Curtis and many others and founded or co-founded Red Robin Records, Whirlin' Disc Records, Fury Records, Fire Records and Enjoy Records, died at the age of 93.

Born This Day:
1936:  Eldee Young of Young-Hold Unlimited ("Soulful Strut") and the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("The In Crowd") was born in Chicago, Illinois; died of a heart attack February 12, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.

1938:  Paul Revere, leader, co-founder and keyboardist of Paul Revere & the Raiders, was born in Harvard, Nebraska before he upgraded to Boise, Idaho.
1939:  Lefty Baker, lead guitarist of Spanky & Our Gang ("Like to Get to Know You"), was born in Roanoke, Virginia; did August 11, 1971 from sclerosis of the liver.
1941:  Jimmy West, session guitarist for Wierd Al Yankovic
1942:  Danny Williams ("White On White" from 1964) was born in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died December 6, 2005 of lung cancer.
1945:  Dave Cousins of the Strawbs was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, England.
1946:  Andy Brown, drummer of the Fortunes ("You've Got Your Troubles" from 1965), was born in Birmingham, England.

1948:  Kenny Loggins was born in Everett, Washington.

1959:  Kathy Valentine, bass guitarist of the Go-Go's, was born in Austin, Texas.
1974:  John Rich, vocalist and bassist with Lonestar ("Amazed")

Hits List: John (Cougar) Mellencamp

John Mellencamp captured the "heart" of the heartland and spread the message loud and clear all across the world.  He's been an amazing artist for over 30 years now, providing some of the most meaningful music in that time.  Here is the complete Hits List:

1978:  "I Need A Lover" (#5 Australia)
           "Factory"
1979:  "Miami" (#31 Australia)
           "I Need a Lover" (#28)
           "Taxi Dancer"
1980:  "Small Paradise" (#87)
           "A Little Night Dancin'"
           "This Time" (#27, #43 Australia)
1981:  "Ain't Even Done With the Night" (#17, #44 Mainstream Rock, #6 Canada)
           "Hot Night in a Cold Town"

1982:  "Hurts So Good" (#2, #1 Rock, #1 Canada, #5 Australia)
           "Jack & Diane" (#1, #3 Rock, #1 Canada, #7 Australia)
           "Thundering Hearts" (#36 Rock)
           "Hand to Hold on To" (#19, #97 Australia)
1983:  "Crumblin' Down" (#9, #2 Rock, #12 Canada, #42 Australia)
           "Pink Houses" (#8, #3 Rock, #11 Canada, #69 Australia)
1984:  "Serious Business" (#34 Rock)
           "Play Guitar" (#28 Rock)
           "The Authority Song" (#15, #15 Rock, #20 Canada, #93 Australia)--underrated.
1985:  "Lonely Ol' Night" (#6, #1 Rock, #37 Adult Contemporary, #4 Canada, #32 Australia)
           "Small Town" (#6, #2 Rock, #13 AC, #21 Canada, #80 Australia)
           "Justice and Independence '85" (#28 Rock)

Mellencamp's amazing Scarecrow album...
1986:  "Minutes to Memories" (#14 Rock)--highly underrated.
           "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." (#2, #6 Rock, #36 AC, #6 Canada, #18 Australia)
           "Under the Boardwalk" (#19 Rock, #18 Australia)
           "Rain on the Scarecrow" (#21, #16 Rock, #34 Australia)--underrated.
           "Rumbleseat" (#28, #4 Rock, #84 Australia)
1987:  "Paper in Fire" (#9, #1 Rock, #1 Canada, #13 Australia)
           "Cherry Bomb" (#8, #1 Rock, #12 AC, #4 Canada, #20 Australia)
           "Hard Times for an Honest Man" (#10 Rock)
           "The Real Life" (#3 Rock)
1988:  "Check It Out" (#14, #3 Rock, #12 Canada, #22 Australia)
           "Rooty Toot Toot" (#61, #7 Rock, #14 Canada, #54 Australia)
           "Rave On" (#17 Rock, #14 Canada)
1989:  "Pop Singer" (#15, #2 Rock, #8 Canada, #8 Australia)
           "Jackie Brown" (#48, #20 Rock, #31 AC, #36 Canada, #47 Australia)
           "Martha Say" (#8 Rock)
           "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" (#42 Rock), #87 Australia)
1991:  "Get a Leg Up" (#14, #1 Rock, #7 Canada, #21 Australia)
           "Love and Happiness" (#5 Rock)
1992:  "Again Tonight" (#36, #1 Rock, #46 AC, #26 Canada, #39 Australia)
           "Last Chance" (#12 Rock)
           "Now More Than Ever" (#3 Rock, #57 Australia)
1993:  "Human Wheels" (#48, #2 Rock, #40 AC, #14 Canada, #40 Australia)
           "What If I Came Knocking" (#1 Rock, #16 Canada)
           "When Jesus Left Birmingham" (#35 Rock)
1994:  "Junior" (#35 Rock)
           "Baby Please Don't Go"
           "Wild Night" (with Meshell Ndegeocello) (#3, #17 Rock, #1 AC #3 Canada, #18 Australia)
           "Dance Naked" (#41, #21 Rock, #37 AC, #18 Canada)

1996:  "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" (#14, #10 Rock, #15 AC, #1 Canada, #21 Australia)
           "Just Another Day" (#46, #13 Rock, #24 AC, #11 Canada)
           "Without Expression" (#25 Rock, #26 Canada)
1998:  "Your Life Is Now" (#15 Rock, #19 AC, #16 Canada)
1999:  "I'm Not Running Anymore" (#37 Rock, #22 AC)
2000:  "Yours Forever"
2001:  "Peaceful World" (with Inda.Arie) (#38 Rock, #27 AC)
2003:  "To Washington"
           "Teardrops Will Fall"
2004:  "Walk Tall" (#25 AC)
2006:  "Our Country" (#88, #16 AC)

2007:  "The Americans"
           "Someday"
2008:  "My Sweet Love (#25 AC)
           "Troubled Land"
2009:  "A Ride Back Home" (with Karen Fairchild)
2010:  "No Better Than This"

John has racked up 29 hits with 10 of those going Top 10 and one #1.  His main appeal is in the sub-genre of Mainstream Rock, which is closer to the old "Top 40" charts than what is presented now as the "popular" chart.  On that chart, which first began in 1981, Mellencamp has had 45 hits, with 22 Top 10's and seven number one songs.  The largest audience by far, of course, is the Adult Contemporary chart.  Even though that isn't Mellencamp's direction, he has charted 17 AC hits, with one Top 10 and one #1.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 6

1957:  Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York City, singing "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", "Love Me Tender", "Heartbreak hotel", "Peace in the Valley", "Too Much" and "When My Blue Heart Turns to Gold Again". 
1958:  Gibson patented its Flying V electric guitar.  Jimi Hendrix, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Marc Bolan of T. Rex are among those who played the Flying V.
1958:  Bobby Helms filmed for the movie The Case Against Brooklyn.
1958:  Danny & the Juniors moved to #1 on the R&B chart with "At the Hop".
1960:  Percy Faith & His Orchestra released "The Theme from 'A Summer Place'".

Bobby Vee had another hit with "Run to Him"

1962:  The Tokens once again had the #1 song as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" resided there for a third week.  Chubby Checker's "The Twist", after reaching #1 in 1960, gained new popularity and was now up to #2 again two years later. "Run to Him" from Bobby Vee slipped a bit, Joey Dee & the Starliters had "Peppermint Twist" and Elvis Presley moved up to #5 with yet another big hit--"Can't Help Falling In Love".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" from Neil Sedaka, James Darren was down with "Goodbye Cruel World", Leroy Van Dyke dropped with "Walk On By", the Lettermen scored a Top 10 with "When I Fall In Love" and Ray Charles joined the group with "Unchain My Heart".
1964:  The Rolling Stones began their first tour as a headline act in Harrow, England.
1968:  Gladys Knight & the Pips collected their sixth week atop the R&B chart with their version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".

1968:  Magical Mystery Tour moved to #1 on the album chart for the Beatles, their 11th #1 album in 13 releases.  The Rolling Stones were no match with Their Satanic Majesties Request and would have to settle for #2.  Just behind them, the Monkees with Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. and Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits, two former #1 LP's.  The Beatles also had #5 with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Soundtrack to "Doctor Zhivago", "The Sound of Music" Soundtrack at #7 after 147 weeks, the Mamas & Papas with Farewell to the First Golden Era, Strange Days from the Doors and Love, Andy by Andy Williams.
1971:  Neil Young performed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, his first appearance in his homeland since he left in 1965 to join Buffalo Springfield.
1973:  Stevie Wonder became the proud owner of the new #1 R&B song--"Superstition".

John Denver's classic helped him land his first Top 10 album.

1973:  The Moody Blues dominated the album chart for a seventh week with Seventh Sojourn.  Stanley, Idaho's Carole King was second with Rhymes and  Reasons with Jethro Tull (Living in the Past), Al Green (I'm Still In Love with You) and James Taylor (One Man Dog) holding their positions.  The rest of the Top 10:   Carly Simon moved from 12-6 with her third album No Secrets, Seals & Crofts rode the Summer Breeze to #7, Cat Stevens was on the way down with Catch Bull At Four, Homecoming, the new release from America, moved into the Top 10 and John Denver's Rocky Mountain High was #10.
1973:  Listeners loved Lobo, and his new song "Don't Expect Me to Be Your Friend" was one of the hottest songs on the radio, moving from 81 to 54.
    
       Albert Hammond with his biggest career hit

1973:  Carly Simon had the new #1 song--"You're So Vain".  Gilbert O'Sullivan would have to settle for #2 with "Clair" as Billy Paul was down with "Me and Mrs. Jones".  Stevie Wonder advanced from 16 to 4 with "Superstition" and Donna Fargo's "Funny Face" moved up as well.  The rest of the Top 10:  Albert Hammond and "It Never Rains In Southern California", Johnny Rivers with his 25th career hit "Rockin' Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu", the new duo Loggins & Messina with "Your Mama Don't Dance", Curtis Mayfield maintained at #9 with "Superfly" and Al Green stopped off at 10 with "You Ought to Be With Me".

1975:  Pink Floyd began recording their tribute album to former lead singer Syd Barrett, Wish You Were Here.
1975:  A thousand Led Zeppelin fans didn't want to see the group in concert, as they rioted while waiting for tickets to go on sale at Boston Garden in Massachusetts.  They did $30,000 in damages, forcing Boston Mayor Kevin White to cancel the concert.

1976:  Peter Frampton released the album Frampton Comes Alive!


"American Popular Song", Neil Diamond's song about what we love...

1979:  Barbra Streisand already had a second Greatest Hits package and Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Volume 2 moved to the #1 position on the album chart.  Steve Martin remained second fiddle with A Wild and Crazy Guy while the former #1 52nd Street from Billy Joel was third.  Chic and C'est Chic was fixated on #4 with the "Grease" Soundtrack fifth after 34 weeks.  The rest of the Top 10:  Jazz from Queen, the Blues Brothers were the flavor of the day as Briefcase Full of Blues rose from 70 to 7, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 was #8, Eric Clapton found the Top 10 with Backless and Neil Diamond shot up from 18 to 10 with You Don't Bring Me Flowers.
1979:  Al Stewart had a firm grip on the Adult Contemporary chart with a 10th straight week at #1 with "Time Passages".

1979:  Helen Reddy also had a hit with this but Barry Manilow's version of "Somewhere in the Night" moved from #57 to #31 on this date.

1979:  The red-hot Bee Gees had their fourth straight #1 with "Too Much Heaven", and it could have been five had they released "More Than a Woman" from Saturday Night Fever.  After two trips to the top "Le Freak" by Chic fell, and Billy Joel was looming at #3 with "My Life".  The former #1 "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" from Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond was next, followed by newcomer Alicia Bridges and "I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Sharing the Night Together". one of Dr. Hook's biggest hits, "Y.M.C.A." from the Village People, Toto's first hit "Hold the Line" at #8, Andy Gibb remained at #9 with "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" and Linda Ronstadt scored her sixth Top 10 with her 18th career solo hit "Ooh Baby Baby".
1983:  Barry Manilow made it three weeks at #1 on the AC chart with "Read 'Em and Weep".
1987:  Elton John had to cancel all live performances for a year after undergoing throat surgery.

1999:  Alanis Morissette spent the day working at a soup kitchen in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
1990:  Babyface had the top R&B song with "Tender Lover".
1990:  Michael Bolton moved to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with his version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You".

1990:  Phil Collins' new album But Seriously... was a good one, so good that it became the new #1 on this date.
1990:  Phil Collins remained in the top position with "Another Day in Paradise" for the third week, holding off "Rhythm Nation" from Janet Jackson".  Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville were on the way down with "Don't Know Much".
      
                 TLC with their ninth career hit

1996:  Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men continued to dominate with a sixth week at #1 for "One Sweet Day".  Whitney Houston had enjoyed a brief stay at the top with "Exhale (Shoop Shoop) but remained at #2 for the sixth week.  LL Cool J was next with "Hey Lover" while Coolio's great song "Gangsta's Paradise" was still hanging around.  TLC remained fifth with "Diggin' On You" while the Beatles moved to #6 with "Free as a Bird".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Breakfast At Tiffany's" from Deep Blue Something, Mariah Carey's former #1 "Fantasy", Monica was behind her with "Before You Walk Out of My Life/Like This and Like That" and the Goo Goo Dolls were at #10 with "Name".
2004:  Steven Van Zandt, guitarist for the E Street Band, announced he had been hired as a creative consultant for Sirius satellite radio.

2004:  Celine Dion was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2005:  Aaron Carter escaped danger after his SUV caught fire while driving to Orlando, Florida.  
2005:  Ringo Garza, drummer of Los Lonely Boys, was arrested for possession of marijuana in San Angelos, Texas.
2005:  Danny Sugerman, manager of the Doors and writer of the biography No One Gets Out of Here Alive, died from lung cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 50.
2005:  Mario owned the #1 song for a third week with "Let Me Love You".
2006:  In today's episode of Inmates Run Rap Music, Ms. Dynamite was arrested for assaulting a police officer.


Born This Day:

1924:  Earl Scruggs ("The Ballad of Jed Clampett" for the Beverly Hillbillies and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" from 1969), an elite banjo player, was born in Scottville, North Carolina.  

1929:  Wilbert Harrison ("Kansas City" from 1959) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1937:  Doris Troy ("Just One Look" from 1963, a song redone by the Hollies and Linda Ronstadt, among others), also a backup singer for Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Carly Simon and Dusty Springfield. 

1944:  Van McCoy, who gave us one of The Top 25 Instrumentals of the Rock Era* ("The Hustle" from 1975), was born in Washington, D.C.

1946:  Syd Barrett, the original lead singer and guitarist of Pink Floyd, was born in Cambridge, England.
1947:  Shirley Brown ("Woman to Woman" from 1974) was born in West Memphis, Arkansas.
1947:  Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention was born in Wimbledon, London, England; died April 21, 1978 after falling and hitting her head on concrete in March during a period of heavy alcohol and cocaine use, then falling into a coma April 17. 
1951:  Kim Wilson, vocalist with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, was born in Detroit, Michigan.

1953:  Malcolm Young, founding member, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of AC/DC, was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
1959:  Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge ("We Are Family" from 1979) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1959:  Neil Simpson, bass guitarist for Climax Blues Band, was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
1963:  Jazzie B. of Soul II Soul ("Back to Life" from 1989) was born in Hornsey, London.
1964:  Mark O'Toole, founding member and bassist of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, was born in Liverpool, England.

Did You Know...

Al Stewart knew Yoko Ono before she met John Lennon and
was a roommate of Paul Simon's when Paul had an apartment in London.

Top Rock Artists from Scotland

There are numerous other musicians who came from Scotland (including Bon Scott and Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC).  This list focuses on the artists who have achieved their own success, either as a group or solo:

Average White Band, best known for "Pick Up the Pieces" from 1975

Bay City Rollers
Big Country
Del Amitri

Sheena Easton, definitely one of the best from Scotland
Franz Ferdinand

Annie Lennox, a solo star after the Eurythmics

Lulu

Nazareth ("Love Hurts")
Proclaimers

Gerry Rafferty

Simple Minds
Al Stewart, probably my favorite from Scotland
K.T. Tunstall

Van Halen to Tour in 2012

Van Halen has announced a tour for this year, with David Lee Roth doing the singing.  Tickets go on sale January 10.

Hits List: Bob Seger

This Detroit rocker put out a string of quality albums as good as any from 1976-1980 with Night Moves, Stranger In Town and Against the Wind.  It took him a while to get going in his career, but once he spread nationally and internationally, Seger took it to the next level.  In fact, I can't think of anyone in the history of the Rock Era who took longer to make it big and then became as big a star.  Here is the complete Hits List:

1961:  "The Lonely One"
1965:  "TGIF"
1966:  "Ballad of the Yellow Beret"
           "East Side Story
           "Sock It to Me Santa"
           "Persecution Smith"
1967:  "Vagrant Winter"
           "Heavy Music"

1968:  "2 + 2 = ?" (#79 Canada)
           "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" (#17, #18 Canada)
1969:  "Ivory" (#97)
           "Noah"
           "Innervenus Eyes"
1970:  "Lucifer" (#84)
1971:  "Lookin' Back" (#96)
1972:  "If I Were a Carpenter" (#76)
           "Midnight Rider"
           "Turn the Page"
1973:  "Who Do You Love"
           "Rosalie"
1974:  "Need Ya"
           "Get Out of Denver" (#80)
           "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)"
1975:  "Beautiful Loser"
           "Katmandu" (#43, #57 Canada)

1976:  "Nutbush City Limits" (live) (#69, #85 Canada)
           "Night Moves" (#4, #5 Canada, #45 U.K.)
1977:  "The Fire Down Below"--highly underrated.
           "Mainstreet" (#24, #1 Canada)
           "Rock and Roll Never Forgets" (#41)
           "Sunspot Baby"--highly underrated.

1978:  "Still the Same" (#4, #27 Adult Contemporary, #4 Canada)
           "Hollywood Nights" (#12, #12 Canada, #42 U.K.)--highly underrated.
           "We've Got Tonight" (#13, #29 AC, #9 Canada, #22 U.K.)
           "Old Time Rock and Roll" (#28, #31 Canada)--highly underrated.

1980:  "Fire Lake" (#6, #31 AC, #3 Canada)
           "Against the Wind" (#5, #8 AC, #6 Canada)
           "You'll Accomp'ny Me" (#14, #7 AC, #8 Canada)
           "Horizontal Bop" (#42)
           "Her Strut"--highly underrated.
1981:  "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You" (live) (#5, #2 Rock, #11 Canada)
           "Feel Like a Number" (live) (#48, #29 Canada)

1982:  "Shame on the Moon" (#2, #1 AC, #8 Canada)
1983:  "Even Now" (#12, #2 Rock, #35 Canada, #73 U.K.)
           "Roll Me Away" (#27, #13 Rock)
           "Old Time Rock and Roll" (re-release) (#48)
1984:  "Understanding" (#17, #7 AC, #5 Rock, #38 Canada)
1986:  "American Storm" (#13, #2 Rock, #26 Canada, #78 U.K.)
           "Like a Rock" (#12, #21 AC, #1 Rock, #33 Canada)
           "It's You" (#52, #22 AC, #8 Rock)
           "Miami" (#70, #47 Rock)

1987:  "Shakedown" (#1, #1 Rock, #1 Canada, #88 U.K.)
1989:  "Blue Monday" (#40 Rock)
1991:  "Take a Chance" (#10 Rock)
           "The Real Love" (#24, #4 AC, #4 Rock)
           "The Fire Inside" (#45 AC, #6 Rock)
1994:  "In Your Time"
1995:  "Lock and Load" (#22 Rock)
           "Manhattan"
1996:  "Hands in the Air" (#29 Rock)
1998:  "Chances Are" (with Martina McBride) (#23 AC)
2006:  "Wait for Me" (#17 AC)
           "Wreck This Heart"
2011:  "Downtown Train" (#17 AC)
           "Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back to Birmingham)"


That's 31 hits, with 7 going Top 10 and 1 #1.  On the more dominant Adult Contemporary chart,14 hits with 5 reaching the Top 10 and 1 #1.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 5

1954:  Elvis Presley recorded a 10-minute demo tape at Memphis Recording Studio.
1957:  Pat Boone began filming the movie Bernadine.
1957:  Ivory Joe Hunter took over from Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" at #1 on the R&B chart.  "Since I Met You Baby" moved into the top spot after Fats had owned the position for 11 weeks.
1958:  Pat Boone was the mystery guest on the television show What's My Line? on CBS.

1959:  Buddy Holly released the single "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" on Coral Records, the final release before his death.
1959:  Jackie Wilson logged a fourth week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Lonely Teardrops".
1959:  "The Chipmunk Song" by the Chipmunks remained at #1 for a third week, holding off "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by the Platters, which was being patient while waiting a turn.  The Teddy Bears remained third with "To Know Him Is to Love Him" and the Everly Brothers reached the fourth position with "Problems".  The rest of the Top 10:  Elvis Presley with "One Night", Connie Francis burst into the Top 10 (13-6) with "My Happiness", the Kingston Trio were headed downward with "Tom Dooley", Clyde McPhatter asked "A Lover's Question" at #8 and Billy Grammer's "Gotta' Travel On" skipped over "Whole Lotta' Loving" by Fats Domino.
1961:  The Beatles played at Litherland Town Hall in Liverpool, England.  Two members of Rory Storm & the Hurricanes--Johnny Guitar and Ringo Starr, were in the audience.

1963:  Steve Lawrence remained on top of the Easy Listening chart for a fourth week with "Go Away Little Girl".
1963:  The great instrumental "Telstar" by the Tornadoes remained at #1 for a third week.  
1965:  The Supremes recorded "Stop!  In the Name of Love."
1966:  The Beatles recorded overdubs for the movie The Beatles At Shea Stadium.
1966:  The Who performed on the U.K. television show The Whole Scene Going.
1967:  Paul McCartney recorded his vocal for "Penny Lane" for the Beatles' upcoming album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
1967:  Pink Floyd was in concert at the Marquee Club in London.
1968:  Jimi Hendrix was thrown in jail in Stockholm, Sweden after going crazy and destroying everything in his room at the Goteberg Hotel.

1970:  Brook Benton released the great single "Rainy Night In Georgia".

1973:  Bruce Springsteen released his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

1974:  Yes owned the #1 album in the U.K.--Tales from Topographic Oceans.

              "It's Going to Take Some Time" featuring the great flute solo by Bob Messenger

1974:  The Carpenters had the first #1 album of the New Year as their compilation The Singles 1969-1973 took over from Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  You Don't Mess Around with Jim by Jim Croce was #3, as fans continued to discover the greatness of the late singer/songwriter.  The Steve Miller Band fell with The Joker and the Soundtrack to "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Neil Diamond trailed.  The rest of the Top 10:  Another posthumous album from Croce--I Got a Name, rose from 12 to 6, Quadrophenia by the Who remained at #, Ringo from Ringo Starr, Bette Midler with her self-titled release and Full Sail from Loggins & Messina.

             Al Wilson had a smash with "Show and Tell"

1974:  Jim Croce remained at #1 with "Time in a Bottle", one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  Steve Miller Band closed with "The Joker", passing over Helen Reddy's ("Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)".  Charlie Rich saw his former #1 "The Most Beautiful Girl" drop but Al Wilson was on the move with his great new song "Show and Tell".  The rest of a solid Top 10:  Elton John and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", Barry White was "Never, Never Gonna' Give Ya Up", Stevie Wonder  was just beginning a great mid-70's run with his 33rd hit and 16th Top 10 song ("Living for the City") while Gladys Knight & the Pips entered the list with "I've Got to Use My Imagination".
1979:  Prince made his debut as a solo artist at the Capri Theatre in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1980:  Michael Jackson took over the #1 slot on the R&B chart with "Rock With You".
1980:  Stevie Wonder registered a third straight week at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Send One Your Love".

1980:  People were discovering the great In Through the Out Door album and on this date, Led Zeppelin moved from 64 to 42 with "Fool in the Rain".

      
                 Kool and the Gang had it down...

1980:  K.C. & the Sunshine Band made a comeback of sorts with "Please Don't Go" at #1, knocking off Rupert Holmes and "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)".  Michael Jackson raced into the Top 10 with "Rock With You", moving from 11-3 and Stevie Wonder had another big hit with "Send One Your Love".  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  The Captain & Tennille's "Do That to Me One More Time" was #6, but former #1 "Babe" from Styx and "Still" from the Commodores held the next two spots, Kenny Rogers shot up from 22 to 8 with "Coward of the County", Kool & the Gang and "Ladies Night" while Cliff Richard had a rare U.S. hit with "We Don't Talk Anymore".
"Even the Losers", one of the great tracks on Damn the Torpedoes

1980:  Donna Summer's compilation On the Radio-Greatest Hits-Volumes I & II moved to #1 on the album chart with the double-album compilation Bee Gees Greatest moving to #2.  Cornerstone by Styx continued to hold down #3 while Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants by Stevie Wonder and the previous #1 The Long Run from the Eagles were close behind.  The rest of an incredible Top 10:  In Through the Out Door by Led Zeppelin, The Wall from Pink Floyd moved from 20-7, Damn the Torpedoes by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Tusk from Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson had his biggest career album to date with Off the Wall.
1984:  The Police announced that their farewell concert would be March 2 in Australia.
1985:  Jermaine Jackson continued to top the AC chart for a third week with "Do What You Do".
1985:  Cyndi Lauper re-entered the Top 10 with She's So Unusual after 55 weeks of release with her debut album while a great new album, Reckless from Bryan Adams, moved to #10.
1985:  Madonna remained at #1 with her first chart-topper "Like a Virgin".  Duran Duran was second with "The Wild Boys" while the Honeydrippers edged up with their remake of "Sea of Love".  The New Edition was right behind with "Cool It Now" and Pat Benatar had another smash with "We Belong".  The rest of the Top 10:  actor Jack Wagner with "All I Need", Hall & Oates were on the way down with "Out of Touch", Bryan Adams moved in with "Run to You", Chicago collected hit #38 with "You're the Inspiration" and John Lennon's son Julian had a Top 10 hit with "Valotte".
1990:  Paul McCartney was in concert at the NEC Birmingham in England.

             Suzanne Vega with her second Top 10 hit

1991:  Madonna scored her 10th career #1 with "Justify My Love".  Stevie B finally relinquished his hold after four weeks with "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)", Bette Midler remained close behind with "From a Distance" and the Damn Yankees were up to 4 with "High Enough".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Tom's Diner" from D.N.A. with Suzanne Vega, Wilson Phillips dropped slowly with "Impulsive", Janet Jackson reached the Top 10 for the 11th time with "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", Ralph Tresvant moved to 8 with "Sensitivity", Surface was racing up (16-9) with "The First Time" and Whitney Houston's former #1 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" was now at #10.

1998:  Sonny Bono of Sonny & Cher, later mayor of Palm Springs and a United States Congressman, died in a skiing accident when he hit a tree at the Heavenly Ski Resort near South Lake Tahoe, California at the age of 63.
2003:  Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after being stopped in California.  He failed the breath test and was thrown in jail.

2003:  Avril Lavigne's debut album Let Go rose to #1 in the U.K.

2004:  Britney Spears' three-day-old marriage to childhood friend Jason Allen Alexander was officially annulled.  Or to report it more accurately, the childlike Britney Spears annulled her marriage after three days.

                           A true hero

2004:  A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys chased down and captured a jewel thief in the parking lot of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  McLean was in the hotel's boutique when he spotted the man running off with a diamond ring.
2004:  Ray Davies, lead singer of the Kinks, wasn't as fortunate as McLean.  Davies was shot in the leg while running after two men who stole his girlfriend's purse in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Davies was taken to the Medical Center but his injuries were not serious.

2004:  B2K ("Bump, Bump Bump") announced they were breaking up.

2010:  Willie Mitchell ("Soul Serenade" from 1968) died at the age of 81 after suffering cardiac arrest in Memphis, Tennessee.

Born This Day:

1923:  Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records who discovered Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, was born near Florence, Alabama; died of respiratory failure in Memphis, Tennessee on July 20, 2003.
1929:  Wilbert Harrison ("Kansas City") was born in Charlotte, North Carolina; died of a stroke in a Spencer, North Carolina nursing home on October 26, 1994.
1930:  Don Rondo ("White Silver Sands") ;died January 27, 2011 after a battle with lung cancer.
1932:  Johnny Adams ("Reconsider Me" from 1969) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1934:  Phil Ramone, violinist, recording engineer, and legendary producer of the best albums that Billy Joel did as well as albums by Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Chicago, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Olivia Newton-John, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan, Guess Who, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Richard Marx, Sheena Easton, Peter, Paul and Mary and Ray Charles, among others, was born in South Africa; died March 20, 2013 in Manhattan, New York of a brain aneurysm.
1940:  George Malone of the Monotones
1949:  George Brown, keyboardist of Kool & the Gang, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. 
1950:  Chris Stein, co-founder and guitarist of Blondie, was born in Brooklyn, New York.
1964:  Grant Young, drummer of Soul Asylum ("Runaway Train") was born in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Most Important Songs of All-Time: Songs That Changed the World

This is the final segment of the series featuring The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.  I will get a post up that will contain links to all segments so you can view them all.

December 22:  "Another Day In Paradise" by Phil Collins

December 23:  "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.

December 24:  "Put a Little Love In Your Heart" by Jackie DeShannon

December 25:  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel

December 26:  "One Tin Soldier" by the Original Caste

December 27:  "Hero" by Mariah Carey

December 28:  "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

December 29:  "He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother" by the Hollies

December 30:  "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by the 5th Dimension

December 31:  "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" by Irene Cara

January 1:  "Imagine" by John Lennon

January 2:  "Love Train" by the O'Jays

The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 70's--Coming Sunday, January 22!

We'll present these great songs in the style which you've come to expect.  It won't just be a list--anyone can do that, but will be much more in-depth and much more enjoyable to follow.

Starting January 22, we'll present 10 songs per day through January 31 to truly feature and celebrate each song in our ranking.

Hits List: Bruce Springsteen

Springsteen was once hailed famously as "the future of rock and roll".  He is one of the best live performers in the history of the Rock Era, and has done well on the charts, most notably his Born in the U.S.A. album.  Here is the complete Hits List for Bruce Springsteen:

1973:  "Blinded by the Light"
           "Spirit in the Night"

1975:  "Born to Run"  (#23, #93 U.K., #53 Canada, #38 Sweden)--highly underrated.
1976:  "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" (#83, #82 Canada)
1978:  "Prove It All Night" (#33, #57 Canada, #90 Sweden))
           "Badlands" (#42, #44 Canada)
           "The Promised Land"
1980:  "Hungry Heart" (#5, #44 U.K., #5 Canada, #17 Sweden)
1981:  "Fade Away" (#20, #14 Mainstream Rock, #19 Canada)
           "Sherry Darling"
           "The River" (#35 U.K., #10 Sweden) 
           "Cadillac Rance" (#48 Rock)
           Point Blank" (#20 Rock)
1982:  "Atlantic City" (#10 Rock, #49 Canada)
           "Open All Night" (#22 Rock)

1984:  "Dancing in the Dark" (#2, #1 Rock, #4 U.K., #3 Canada, #2 Sweden)
           "Cover Me" (#7, #2 Rock, #16 U.K., #12 Canada, #15 Sweden)
           "Born in the U.S.A." (#9, #8 Rock, #5 U.K., #11 Canada, #11 Sweden)
1985:  "I'm on Fire" (#6, #4 Rock, #6 Adult Contemporary, #5 U.K., #12 Canada, #20 Sweden)
           "Glory Days" (#5, #3 Rock, #17 U.K., #17 Canada, #20 Sweden)
           "I'm Goin' Down" (#9, #9 Rock, #23 Canada, #13 Sweden)
           "My Hometown" (#6, #6 Rock, #1 AC, #9 U.K., #16 Canada, #20 Sweden)
           "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (#9 U.K.)
1986:  "War" (#8, #4 Rock, #18 U.K., #11 Canada, #4 Sweden)
1987:  "Fire" (#46, #14 Rock, #54 U.K., #42 Canada, #17 Sweden)
           "Born to Run" (live) (#16 U.K.)
           "Brilliant Disguise" (#5, #1 Rock, #5 AC, #20 U.K., #9 Canada, #3 Sweden)
           "Tunnel of Love" (#9, #1 Rock, #45 U.K., #17 Canada)
1988:  "One Step Up" (#13, #2 Rock, #23 Canada)
           "Tougher Than the Rest" (#13 U.K.)
           "Spare Parts" (#28 Rock, #32 U.K., #16 Sweden)

1992:  "Human Touch" (#16, #1 Rock, #8 AC, #11 U.K., #2 Canada, #4 Sweden)
           "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)" (#68, #6 Rock, #32 U.K., #25 Canada, #32 Sweden)
           "Better Days" (#16, #2 Rock, #34 U.K., #23 Sweden)
           "Leap of Faith" (#28 Main, #46 U.K., #48 Canada, #23 Sweden)
1993:  "Lucky Town" (#48 U.K.)

1994:  "Streets of Philadelphia" (#9, #25 Rock, #3 AC, #2 U.K., #1 Canada, #3 Sweden)
1995:  "Murder Incorporated" (#14 Rock, #5 Canada)
           "Hungry Heart" (reissue) (#28 U.K.)
1996:  "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (#26 U.K., #34 Canada)
1997:  "Secret Garden" (#19, #5 AC, #44 U.K., #7 Canada)
1999:  "Sad Eyes"

2002:  "The Rising" (#52, #24 Rock, #26 AC, #94 U.K., #10 Sweden)
           "Lonesome Day" (#39 U.K., #47 Sweden)
2003:  "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" (#15 Sweden)
2005:  "Devils & Dust" (#72)
           "All the Way Home"
2007:  "Radio Nowhere" (#96 U.K, #55 Canada, #60 Sweden)
           "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" (#95, #27 Rock)
2008:  "Working on a Dream" (#95, #35 Rock, #91 Canada, #12 Sweden)
           "My Lucky Day" (#37 Rock)
           "The Wrestler" (#93 U.K., #63 Canada, #56 Sweden)

That's 28 hits for Bruce, with 12 of those going Top 10.