This Date in Rock Music History: June 24

1957:  A keyboard-banging star first emerged on the charts. He would go on to score 18 hits in the early years of the Rock Era.  On this date, Jerry Lee Lewis debuted with his first single--"Whole Lotta' Shakin' Goin' On". 

1957:  It was a magical time on the R&B chart.  "Searchin'" by the Coasters, which would go on to become one of The Top R&B Songs of the Rock Era* with 12 weeks at #1, spent a third week at the top.
1959:  Ricky Nelson sang "I Got a Feeling" on his family's television program The Ozzie & Harriet Show.
1963:  A famous day in the Rock Era, as Peter, Paul & Mary released the Bob Dylan-penned classic "Blowin' in the Wind" on Monday, June 24, 1963.

1964:  Sam Cooke kicked off a two-week gig at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City.

1964:  The Beatles played the first of two concerts at Auckland Town Hall in Australia.
1965:  The Hollies had the #1 U.K. hit with "I'm Alive".

1965:  John Lennon published his second book--A Spaniard in the Works.

1966:  Lynn, Massachusetts found out what it was like to invite the Rolling Stones to perform in their city.  The Stones debuted their tour at the Manning Bowl.  The experience was so pleasurable that police had to use tear gas on the crowd and thus all rock concerts were banned at the Bowl because of one very bad apple.

1966:  The Beach Boys lined up quite a show at their Summer Spectacular at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.  Jefferson Airplane, Lovin' Spoonful, the Byrds, Percy Sledge and the Sir Douglas Quintet performed for the crowd.

1967:  "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane earned the highest debut of the week after being released on Monday, June 19.

1967:  The 5th Dimension performed "Up, Up and Away" on American Bandstand.
1967:  "Respect" by Aretha Franklin spent week #6 at the top on the R&B chart.

The Association had the ability to give us classic after classic...


1967:  It was one of the best times in music history.  "Groovin'" by the Young Rascals spent a second week at #1 with fellow member of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era* "Respect" from Aretha Franklin still at #2 after a turn at #1.  The Turtles had a solid #3 with "She'd Rather Be With Me".  A third representative of The Top 500 Songs* was also in the Top 10 at the same time--"Windy" from the Association.  The rest of a great Top 10:  "Little Bit O' Soul" from the Music Explosion, Scott McKenzie moved from 20-6 with his anthem "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)", Jefferson Airplane's smash "Somebody To Love" was at #7, yet another big hit (Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You") was moving into the Top 10, Spanky & Our Gang had song #9 with "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" and the Grass Roots scored their first Top 10 song with "Let's Live For Today".

1967:  The Beatles debuted at #8 on the album chart with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
1969:  "The Ballad of John and Yoko" by the Beatles rose to #1 in the U.K.
1972:  Gilbert O'Sullivan was gaining attention with his release "Alone Again (Naturally)", which rose from #88 the previous week to #59 on this date.

1972:  "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers took over at the top of the R&B chart.

1972:  Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose had a huge hit on their hands with "Too Late To Turn Back Now", which moved from 23 to 10.
1972:  Sammy Davis held on to #1 for a third week with "The Candy Man".

1975:  The U.S. attorney in Newark, New Jersey indicted 19 music business executives, including Arista CEO Clive Davis, on income tax evasion and payola.
1977:  The Jacksons owned the #1 U.K. song with "Show You the Way To Go".
1978:  If you were near England on this date, I hope you went to the concert at Knebworth Park.  Jefferson Starship, Genesis, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jeff Beck and Devo performed.
1978:  The O'Jays remained at #1 on the R&B chart with "Use Ta Be My Girl".

 

We all knew that "Baker Street" was better than the #2 that Billboard showed!

1978:  It was a pretty solid week for music with "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb spending a second week at #1.  "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty would never get higher than #2; in fact it is one of the top #2 songs of the Rock Era--it would spend six weeks behind Andy Gibb.  "It's a Heartache" from Bonnie Tyler was third followed by the former #1 "You're the One That I Want" from Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta.  The rest of the Top 10:  ABBA with their 11th hit "Take a Chance On Me", Carly Simon at #6 with "You Belong To Me", the O'Jays entered the Top 10 with "Use Ta Be My Girl", Sweet's dynamic "Love Is Like Oxygen" was song #8, Bob Seger scored a Top 10 with "Still the Same" and Peter Brown edged up one to #10 with "Dance With Me".

1978:  The album took over at #1 for Fleetwood Mac's classic Rumours on January 11, so that meant on this date Saturday Night Fever was spending its 23rd consecutive week at the top.  Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione was #2 followed by Gerry Rafferty's excellent City to City.  The rest of the Top 10:  London Town from Wings, The Soundtrack to "FM" at #5, So Full of Love from the O'Jays at #6, the Commodores reached #7 with Natural High, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band entered the Top 10 at #8 with Stranger in Town, Jefferson Starship's fine album Earth was at #9 and Bruce Springsteen moved from 39-10 with Darkness on the Edge of Town.

"Hold On Hold Out", the top track on Jackson Browne's new album...


1980:  Jackson Browne released the album Hold Out.

1981:  Contrary to what you may read elsewhere, "Endless Love" by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie was not released on this date.  As shown earlier in the week on Inside the Rock Era, the song was released on Monday, June 19 so that radio stations could add the song and report the numbers to the trade magazines, who then would print their magazines and report on Saturday, June 24 that the song did well enough to debut on the chart, five days after its release.
1984:  Jimmy Page joined Yes on stage in Dortmund, Germany to perform the Beatles' "I'm Down".

1985:  It was a Monday on this date, and that meant new 45's for radio stations to play.  Two great ones arrived on desks on this particular Monday--"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News and "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams.  Both would go on to become major hits.
1988:  Steve Winwood released the album Roll With It.
1988:  No one would want to be UB40 bass player Earl Falconer on this date--he had some things to deal with.  Falconer was sent to jail for six months after admitting to causing his brother's death in an automobile accident.
1989:  Paul McCartney scored a #1 U.K. album with Flowers in the Dirt.
1989:  Soul II Soul began four weeks atop the U.K. chart with "Back To Life".

1989:  Simply Red reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with their remake of the great Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes song "If You Don't Know Me By Now".


1989:  Richard Marx had his fifth consecutive Top 10 song out of the gate and on this date, "Satisfied" became #1 for him.  New Kids on the Block were toppled with "I'll Be Loving You (Forever).  Neneh Cherry challenged with "Buffalo Stance".  The rest of the Top 10:  Bette Midler's former #1 classic "Wind Beneath My Wings" was at #6, Donna Summer's last big hit, her 30th career hit and 14th Top 10--"This Time I Know It's For Real" was up to #7, Bobby Brown tumbled with "Every Little Step", Natalie Cole scored a Top 10 with "Miss You Like Crazy" at #9 and Waterfront were stuck at 10 with "Cry".

1990:  Perry Bamonte was the newest member of the Cure, replacing Roger O'Donnell.
1991:  Monday fell on June 24, and that meant the time for new releases.  One of them particularly stood out on that day--"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams.  Enough radio stations added the song to their playlists that it could chart on the following Saturday.

1992:  Donny Osmond began a year-long run by appearing in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
1994:  Metallica was in concert at the Ionia Free Fair in Ionia, Michigan .


                       Live's "Selling the Drama"...


1995:  Pulse from Pink Floyd debuted at #1 on the album chart, knocking Cracked Rear View by Hootie & the Blowfish from the top spot.  The Soundtrack to "Pocahontas" was third, followed by the incredible album Throwing Copper from Live, in its 59th week on the chart.  Another excellent album, CrazySexyCool by TLC was up to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  It was easy by then to debut high on the chart due to lackluster music and Soul Asylum took full advantage with Let Your Dim Light Shine, the debut from John Michael Montgomery was at #7, Primus debuted at #8 with Tales from the Punchbowl, Boyz II Men were at 9 with II in its 41st week on the chart and the Soundtrack to "Friday" fell to #10.
1995:  Bryan Adams had his 22nd career hit "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" at the top of the chart for a fourth week.  

1997:  LaToya Jackson and her husband/manager Jack Gordon were divorced.

1999:  Eric Clapton raised over $5 million for his drug dependency treatment center in the West Indies and his Crossroads Centre at Antigua by selling 100 of his guitars.  The 1956 sunburst Fender that he used to write the song "Layla" fetched $497, 500.

2000:  The members of KISS must have spent all their money--they auctioned off memorabilia from their past tours that brought in $876,000 on the first day.

2000:  Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks married actor Adrian Pasdar in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2003:  Beyonce Knowles released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love.

2003:  For people who couldn't make the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Rock Walk was created.  On this date, Lou Reed was honored.

2003:  Michelle Branch released the album Hotel Paper.

2003:  In today's edition of "Inmates Run Rap Music", we find three members of Snoop Dogg's security team in familiar territory, being arrested for misdemeanor crimes at an awards show no less (the BET Awards in Los Angeles).

2004:  Due to the abundance of material on this date, you get an extended version of "Inmates Run Rap Music".  In our second segment, we find DMX arrested for drugs and weapons charges for stealing a car from the parking lot of John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City.
2005:  Coldplay, Brian Wilson, Garbage and the White Stripes were among the performers at the U.K. Glastonbury Festival.
2006:  Kevin Richardson left the Backstreet Boys.
2007:  The White Stripes had the #1 album in the U.K. with Icky Thump.

Born This Day:
1939:  Oz Bach, bassist and co-founder of Spanky and Our Gang, was born in Paw Paw, West Virginia.

1942:  Mick Fleetwood, the face and steadying force of Fleetwood Mac and great drummer, was born in Redruth, England.
1944:  Arthur Brown (leader of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown) was born in Whitby, England .

1944:  Elite guitarist Jeff Beck, the #3 Guitarist of the Rock Era*, was born in Wallington, England

1944:  Chris Wood, flute and saxophone player and co-writer with Traffic, was born in Harborne, Birmingham, England.

1945:  Colin Blunstone, the great vocalist and songwriter for the Zombies ("She's Not There") and Manfred Mann, was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.
1948:  Patrick Moraz, progressive rock keyboard player of Yes and the Moody Blues, was born in Villars-Ste-Croix, Morges, Switzerland.

1949:  John Illsley, bass guitarist for Dire Straits, was born in Leicester, England.
1957:  Terence Wilson of UB40 was born in Birmingham, England.
1957:  Jeff Cease, guitarist for the Black Crowes, was born in Nashville, Tennessee.
1959:  Andy McCluskey, vocalist and guitarist for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, was born in Heswall, Wirall, England.

1961:  Curt Smith of Tears for Fears was born in Bath, England.

1970:  Glenn Medeiros ("Nothing's Gonna' Change My Love For You" from 1987) was born in Lihue, Kaua'i, Hawai'i.
1973:  Mario Calire, drummer of the Wallflowers, was born in Buffalo, New York.

Hits List: Stray Cats

One of the important cogs in New Wave in the early 80's, here was a talented group.  Their output is strictly confined to the 80's--here is the complete Hits List for the Stray Cats:

1980:  "Runaway Boys" (#9 U.K.)
1981:  "Rock This Town" (#9, #9 U.K.)
           "Stray Cat Strurt" (#3, #11 U.K.)
           "You Don't Believe Me" (#57 U.K.)
           "Little Miss Prissy"
1983:  "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5, #29 U.K.)
           "Rebels Rule" (#90 U.K.)
           "I Won't Stand In Your Way" (#35)
1984:  "Look At That Cadillac" (#68)

1989:  "Bring It Back Again" (#64 U.K.)
           "Gina" (#88 U.K.)

This Date in Rock Music History: June 23

1958:  A new singer named Bobby Darin debuted on the charts with his first hit song--"Splish Splash", which eventually landed in the Top 10.
1960:  Paul Anka became the youngest former (age 20) to perform at the Copacabana in New York City.
1960:  Eddie Cochran hit #1 in the U.K. with "Three Steps To Heaven" three months after he had been killed in a car crash.
1962:  Orlons moved from 60 to 30 with "The Wah Watusi".
1962:  The Soundtrack to "West Side Story" was #1 on the U.K. album chart.

1962:  Ray Charles made it four straight weeks at #1 for "I Can't Stop Loving You". 
1965:  The Supremes recorded the track "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart".


1965:  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles released the single "Tracks of My Tears".
1965:  The television favorite Shindig! featured the Byrds, the Kingsmen and Billy Preston.
1965:  The Yardbirds were in concert at City Hall in Salisbury, England.
1966:  The Beatles left for Germany for what would be their final world tour.
1966:  The Beatles made it 10 #1 songs in a row in their native U.K. as "Paperback Writer"/"Rain" reached the top spot.
1967:  Aretha Franklin recorded "Chain of Fools".
1967:  John Entwistle of the Who married Alison Wise.
1969:  Neil Diamond released the single "Sweet Caroline".

1969:  Jackie DeShannon released the single "Put a Little Love in Your Heart".
1970:  Chubby Checker was arrested in Niagara Falls after marijuana and drug capsules were discovered in Checker's car.
1972:  Smokey Robinson performed with the Miracles for the final time in Washington, D.C.
1973:  B.W. Stephenson recorded the great song "My Maria".
1973:  "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by Bette Midler took over at the top of the Adult Contemporary chart.


1973:  The Spinners remained on top of the R&B chart for a third week with their great song "One of a Kind (Love Affair)".

 

"Great Gig in the Sky" from 'Dark Side of the Moon'...That's Clare Torry on vocal...


1973:  George Harrison's album Living in the Material World became the new #1, taking the place of Red Rose Speedway from Paul McCartney & Wings.  Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin was #3 with There Goes Rhymin' Simon from Paul Simon fourth.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Beatles 1967-1970 (The Blue Album) was #5, Diamond Girl from Seals & Crofts was at 6, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was in its 15th week on the chart, Made in Japan by Deep Purple was #8, They Only Come Out At Night by the Edgar Winter Group was #9 and Call Me from Al Green was #10.


1973:  The Doobie Brothers' smash "Long Train Runnin'" first hit the Top 10 on this date.
1973:  Paul McCartney & Wings remained at #1 for a fourth week with "My Love".
1975:  Jefferson Starship released the album Red Octopus.
1975:  Barry Manilow released the single "Could It Be Magic".
1975:  Alice Cooper fell off the stage in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and broke six ribs.  Welcome to his nightmare.
1976:  Paul McCartney & Wings performed at the Forum in Inglewood, California.  It would be Sir Paul's last live appearance for 13 years.

1977:  Keith Moon of the Who joined Led Zeppelin onstage in Los Angeles, playing tympani on "Moby Dick" and "Rock and Roll".
1977:  The Eagles performed in concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

1979:  "Shadows in the Moonlight" by Anne Murray remained at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart
1979:  After a week at #2 on the album chart, Supertramp wasn't going away; they returned to #1 with Breakfast in America.


                       The Ya-Ya's of sisterhood...


1979:  Donna Summer was about the hottest thing going, keeping her single "Hot Stuff" at #1 while also seeing the follow-up "Bad Girls" move from 11-5.  Sister Sledge had the #2 song "We Are Family", Anita Ward had #3 with "Ring My Bell" and Randy Vanwarmer had his only hit with "Just When I Needed You Most".  The rest of the Top 10:  Supertramp at 6 with "The Logical Song", Rickie Lee Jones had #7--"Chuck E.'s in Love", Kenny Rogers remained at #8 with "She Believes In Me", Earth, Wind & Fire and the Emotions teamed for the #9 song "Boogie Wonderland" and Rex Smith moved into the Top 10 with "You Take My Breath Away".
1981:  Robert Fripp announced a new King Crimson lineup as Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew and Tony Levin join Fripp in the group.

1984:  The late great Dan Fogelberg had the #1 Adult Contemporary song on this date--"Believe in Me".

"You Might Think", one of the top tracks on 'Heartbeat City'...


1984:  The album Born in the U.S.A. debuted at #9 on the album chart, kickstarting Bruce Springsteen's career.  In fact, there were some great albums out at the same time (competition is important in evaluating success).  The Soundtrack to "Footloose" was #1, followed closely by Sports from Huey Lewis & the News at #2 after 38 weeks of release.  Can't Slow Down, the solid winner from Lionel Richie, was #3 with Cyndi Lauper's She's So Unusual sitting at #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Cars' great album Heartbeat City was at #5, Love at First Sting from the Scorpions was at #6, followed by Van Halen with 1984 (MCMLXXXIV), Thriller, still at #8 for Michael Jackson after 79 weeks, and Duran Duran remained at 10 with Seven and the Ragged Tiger.


People were getting out of their seats to dance to this one...


1984:  Duran Duran reached #1 with "The Reflex" in a pretty good Top 10.  Cyndi Lauper slipped after three weeks at the top with "Time After Time", Deniece Williams had #3 with "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and Bruce Springsteen moved from 9-4 with "Dancing in the Dark".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Self Control" from Laura Branigan, Huey Lewis & the News held steady at #6 with "The Heart of Rock & Roll", the Pointer Sisters were climbing with "Jump (For My Love)", Prince was up 9 spots with "When Doves Cy", Steve Perry's first solo hit "Oh Sherrie" was at #9 and Billy Idol edged into the Top 10 with his great song "Eyes Without a Face".
1986:  Madonna released the single "Papa Don't Preach".
1987:  Tiffany appeared in concert at the Bergen Mall in Paramus, New Jersey.

1989:  Michael Bolton released the great album Soul Provider.
1989:  George Michael received the Silver Clef Award for outstanding contributions to British music.
1990:  "U (sic) Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer was #1 on the R&B chart.
1990:  Elton John reached #1 in the U.K. when the double-sided "Sacrifice" and "Healing Hands" topped the chart.
1990:  Actor Gary Busey, who played Buddy Holly in the movie The Buddy Holly Story, purchased one of Holly's guitars that was offered in an auction for $242,200.
1990:  "Across the River" was the highest debuting song (#63) by Bruce Hornsby & the Range.

1990: M.C. Hammer remained at #1 with the album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.  The Soundtrack to "I'm Breathless" turned up #2 with Sinead O'Connor chasing with I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.  Another Soundtrack, "Pretty Woman", remained at #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe, Brigade from Heart, Paul Abdul held steady at #7 with Shut Up and Dance (The Dance Mixes), the great Wilson Phillips debut was at #8, Depeche Mode checked in with Violator and Soul Provider from Michael Bolton remained in the #10 spot.
1994:  "Copacabana", a musical based on the career of Barry Manilow, opened in London.
1995:  Alan White made his debut as drummer with Oasis at the Glastonbury Festival.  Robbie Williams of Take That also appeared with the band onstage.
1996:  Bryan Adams had the top album in the U.K. with 18 'Til I Die.
1997:  The Backstreet Boys released the single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)".
1998:  Aqua released the home video for "The Diary".

2000:  Neil Young was honored with a star on the Canada Walk of Fame.
2002:  Nelly began seven weeks at #1 with "Hot In Here".
2004:  Dave Navarro's website put forth a statement that Jane's Addiction had split for good.
2004:  The debuting was easy by this time in the Rock Era as the Beastie Boys had no problem getting to #1 with To the 5 Boroughs in its first week.
2004:  Bob Dylan was given a Doctor of Music by St. Andrews University in Scotland.
2009:  Chris Brown plead guilty to assault on his former girlfriend Rihanna.  Brown was sentenced to five years probation and six months community service. 
2010:  Gregg Allman had a liver transplant in Jacksonville, Florida.


Born This Day:
1937:  Niki Sullivan, one of the members of Buddy Holly's backing band the Crickets, was born in South Gate, California; co-wrote several of Buddy's hits; died April 6, 2004 of a heart attack at his home in Independence, Missouri.

1940:  Stuart Sutcliffe, bassist and the "fifth Beatle", was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; died of a brain hemorrhage in Germany at the age of 22.
1941:  Robert Hunter, who wrote the lyrics for Grateful Dead, was born in Arroyo Grande, California.
1944:  Rosetta Hightower, lead singer of Orlons (biggest hit:  "The Wah Watusi"), was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1962:  Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth was born in Midland, Michigan.
1965:  Paul Arthurs, guitarist for Oasis, was born in Burnage, Manchester, England.

1977:  Jason Mraz, who has charted several hits including "I'm Yours" from 2008, was born in Mechanicsville, West Virginia.

Hits List: Paul McCartney & Wings

This became Paul McCartney's group after the Beatles split up.  To achieve the success he did after the breakup, with Wings and then as a solo artist after that, is remarkable.  Here is the complete Hits List for the group:

1972:  "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" (#21, #16 U.K., #46 Canada, #17 Australia, #31 Japan)
           "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (#28, #29 Adult, #9 U.K., #41 Canada, #17 Australia, #13 New Zealand, #13 Netherlands, #41 Japan)
           "Hi, Hi, HI" (#10, #5 U.K., #5 Canada, #29 Australia, #20 New Zealand, #6 Netherlands, #26 Japan)

1973:  "My Love" (#1, #1 Adult, #9 U.K., #2 Canada, #5 Australia, #3 New Zealand, #12 Netherlands, #39 Japan)
           "Live and Let Die" (#2, #8 Adult, #7 U.K., #2 Canada, #5 Australia, #20 New Zealand, #29 Netherlands, #25 Japan)
           "Helen Wheels" (#10, #12 U.K., #4 Canada, #17 Australia, #14 New Zealand, #23 Netherlands, #56 Japan)
           "Jet" (#7, #7 U.K., #5 Canada, #2 New Zealand, #10 Netherlands, #39 Japan)
           "Mrs. Vanderbilt" (#41 Australia, #9 New Zealand, #7 Netherlands)

1974:  "Band on the Run" (#1, #22 Adult, #3 U.K., #1 Canada, #1 New Zealand, #7 Netherlands, #58 Japan)
           "Junior's Farm"/"Sally G" (#3, #16 U.K., #10 Canada, #12 Australia, #3 New Zealand, #77 Japan)--underrated.
           "Walking in the Park with Eloise" (credited to the Country Hams)
1975:  "Listen to What the Man Said" (#1, #8 Adult, #6 U.K., #1 Canada, #14 Australia, #7 New Zealand, #18 Netherlands, #46 Japan)
           "Letting Go" (#39, #41 U.K., #34 Australia, #64 Japan)
           "Venus and Mars/Rock Show" (#12, #12 Canada, #34 Australia, #99 Japan)
1976:  "Silly Love Songs" (#1, #1 Adult, #2 U.K., #1 Canada, #20 Australia, #8 New Zealand, #11 Netherlands, #66 Japan)
           "Let 'Em In" (#3, #1 Adult, #2 U.K., #3 Canada, #65 Australia, #13 New Zealand, #25 Netherlands)
1977:  "Maybe I"m Amazed" (live" (#10, #28 U.K., #9 Canada, #61 Japan)
           "Seaside Woman" (#59" (credited to Suzy and the Red Stripes)
           "Mull of Kintyre" (#33, #45 Adult, #1 U.K., #34 Canada, #1 Australia, #1 New Zealand, #1 Netherlands, #69 Japan)

1978:  "With a Little Luck" (#1, #5 Adult, #5 U.K., #1 Canada, #11 Australia, #14 New Zealand, #11 Netherlands)
          "I've Had Enough" (#25, #42 U.K., #24 Canada, #99 Australia, #13 Netherlands)
          "London Town" (#39, #17 Adult, #60 U.K., #32 Canada)
1979:  "Goodnight Tonight" (#5, #30 Adult Contemporary, #5 U.K., #2 Canada, #6 Australia, #6 New Zealand, #24 Netherlands, #77 Japan)
           "Old Siam, Sir" (#35 U.K.)
           "Getting Closer" (#20, #60 U.K., #18 Canada, #57 Australia, #29 Netherlands)
           "Arrow Through Me" (#29, #27 Canada)
1980:  "Coming Up" (Live at Glasgow)" (#1, #48 AC, #2 U.K., #1 Canada, #2 Australia, #2 New Zealand, #20 Netherlands, #66 Japan)


That's 24 hits for the group, with 14 of those going Top 10 and six #1's.  In the U.K., 23 hits, with 13 going Top 10 and one #1.

Salute to All-American Music

On July 4th, Inside the Rock Era will salute the best songs and artists from the United States on its birthday.  Join us throughout the day as over 700 songs will load onto the site at different times all day long!

This Date in Rock Music History: June 22

1956:  Elvis Presley began three days of concerts at the Paramount in Atlanta, Georgia.
1958:  Vic Damone had the #1 song in the U.K. with "On the Street Where You Live".

1959:  "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison, one of the top R&B songs of the Rock Era, remained at #1 for a 7th week for that format.
1960:  Hank Ballard & the Moonlighters performed on American Bandstand.
1961:  The Beatles recorded "Ain't She Sweet", "Cry for a Shadow", "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Why", "Nobody's Child" and "My Bonnie".

1963:  A famous day in the Rock Era as Stevie Wonder, or Little Stevie Wonder as he was known back then, debuted on the chart with his first single--"Fingertips - Pt 2. 
1963:  The fastest-rising song was "Surf City" by Jan & Dean, which surfed from #68 to #20 on this date.
1963:  "One Fine Day" reached the Top 10 for the Crystals.
1963:  Lesley Gore remained at #1 on the R&B chart with "It's My Party".

1964:  Dean Martin released the single "Everybody Loves Somebody".
1964:  Jan & Dean released the single "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena".

1964:  The Drifters released the single "Under the Boardwalk".
1964:  The Beatles played at Wellington Town Hall in New Zealand.

1967:  The Rascals recorded "How Can I Be Sure", with that unforgettable vocal from Felix Cavaliere.
1967:  Mick Jagger and Keith Richards went on trial for drug possession in London. 
1968:  The Jeff Beck group made its U.S. debut in New York City at The Fillmore East with Rod Stewart as lead singer. 
1968:  In the U.K., the #1 song was "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones.
1968:  Otis Redding went to #1 posthumously in the U.K. with the album Dock of the Bay.

1968:  "This Guy's In Love with You" by Herb Alpert became the new #1 song, ending a three week run by "Mrs. Robinson" from Simon & Garfunkel.  That classic dropped to 3 and moving up to 2 was "MacArthur Park from actor Richard Harris.  The Ohio Express was singing about "Yummy Yummy Yummy" at #4 while Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 had their great sound at #5 with "The Look of Love".  The rest of the Top 10:  Tommy James & the Shondells with "Mony Mony", Aretha Franklin's "Think" at #7, Merrilee Rush moved into the Top 10 with "Angel of the Morning", Archie Bell & the Drells had #9--"Tighten Up" and Friend and Lover had a Top 10 song with "Reach Out of the Darkness". 
1969:  Blind Faith released their first and only album.  
1974:  Gary Glitter owned the top song in the U.K. with "Always Yours".

1974:  "You Won't See Me" by Anne Murray was the new #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
1974:  Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot was the new #1 album. 

1980:  Don McLean rose to #1 in the U.K. with his remake of the Roy Orbison song "Crying".
1983:  The always confused Ozzy Osbourne changed his mind and decided that yes, he will tour with Black Sabbath after all.

1985:  Born in the U.S.A. was still only down to #5 after 53 weeks on the album chart.  The blockbuster from Bruce Springsteen had been in the Top 10 every one of those 53 weeks.
1985:  Survivor climbed to the top of the AC chart with "The Search Is Over".
1985:  Bryan Adams had his first #1 song with "Heaven".  
1987:  Los Lobos released their remake of the Richie Valens hit "La Bamba".
1988:  Jesse Ed Davis, popular session guitarist with John Lennon, Eric Clapton, the Monkees, Steve Miller, Jackson Browne and Harry Nilsson, died from heroin in Venice, California at the age of 43.
1990:  Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson of the Dell-Vikings died of prostrate cancer.

1990:  Billy Joel became the first rock artist to perform at Yankee Stadium. 
1990:  Sinead O'Connor, Ry Cooder, Del Amitri and Jesus Jones performed at the Glastonbury Festival.
1991:  The Jimi Hendrix handwritten lyrics to "Room Full of Mirrors" sold for $35,200 at an auction in New York City.
1991:  Paula Abdul spent a second week at #1 with "Rush, Rush". 
1991:  The funeral for Joe Kubert of Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, was held in Royal Oak, Michigan.
1992:  This combination is a little strange.  At a concert at the Town & Country Club in London, Tom Jones was joined on stage by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.
1996:  Load by Metallica debuted at #1 on the album chart.
1997:  Hanson had the #1 U.K. album with Middle of Nowhere.
2002:  "The Edge", guitarist of U2, married his girlfriend Morleigh Steinberg in Eze, France.  Bono, Lenny Kravitz, and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics were among the guests.
2003:  Avril Lavigne won the Best International Video Award for "Sk8er (sic) Boy" at the MuchMusic Video Awards.

2003:  The great group Evanesence scored a double in the U.K. with the #1 song "Bring Me to Life" and the #1 album Fallen.
2003:  Clay Aiken had the #1 song with "This Is the Night".
2003:  Luther Vandross topped the album chart with Dance With My Father.
2005:  The Foo Fighters debuted at #2 on the album chart with In Your Honor.  Man, easy to get high debuts these days--it's almost like there's no competition.  Hmmm.
2008:  "Viva La Vida" from Coldplay was the #1 song.
2010:  The Eagles appeared at the Canada Inss in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.


Born This Day:
1936:  Singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas.
1937:  Chuck Jackson, who made his living mastering tracks ("I Don't Want To Cry"), was born in Latta, South Carolina.
1943:  Bobby Harrison, singer-songwriter and drummer of Procol Harum, was born in West Ham, London, England.
1943:  Jimmy Castor ("Trogladyte Cave Man" from 1972) was born in New York.


1944:  Peter Asher, singer and guitarist of Peter & Gordon and a highly successful producer and manager, was born in London.  Asher signed and managed James Taylor and produced most of Linda Ronstadt's great albums as well as those of Bonnie Raitt, Andrew Gold and J.D. Souther, before being named vice president of Sony in 1995. 

1947:  Howard Kaylan, "Eddie" in the duo Flo & Eddie and later a member of the Turtles, was born in New York City.

1948:  Todd Rundgren was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
1949:  Alan Osmond of the Osmonds was born in Ogden, Utah.

1953:  Cyndi Lauper was born in Brooklyn, New York.
1956:  Derek Forbes, the original bass guitarist of Simple Minds, was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
1956:  Green Gartside of Scritti Politti was born in Cardiff, Wales.
1957:  Garry Gary Beers, founder and bass guitarist of INXS, was born in Manley, New South Wales.
1961:  Jimmy Somerville, lead singer for Bronski Beat ("Smalltown Boy") and later the Commodores, was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
1964:  Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones ("Right Here Right Now") was born in London.
1965:  Tom Cunningham, drummer of Wet Wet Wet, was born in Drumchapel, Glasgow.
1970:  Steven Page, guitarist of Barenaked Ladies, was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.

Hits List: Simple Minds

This group from Scotland caught fire after landing a song in the great movie The Breakfast Club.  Here is the complete Hits List from Simple Minds:

1979:  "Life in a Day" (#62 U.K.)
           "Chelsea Girl"
1980:  "Changeling"
           "I Travel"
1981:  "Celebrate"
           "The American" (#59 U.K.)
           "Love Song" (#47 U.K., #38 Canada, #17 Australia, #16 Sweden)
           "Sweat in Bullet" (#52 U.K., #47 New Zealand, #17 Sweden)
           "I Travel" (re-issue)
1982:  "Promised You a Miracle" (#13 U.K., #10 Australia, #9 New Zealand, #17 Sweden)
           "Glittering Prize" (#16 U.K., #9 Australia, #4 New Zealand, #11 Sweden)
           "Someone, Somewhere in Summertime" (#36 U.K., #51 Australia)
1983:  "I Travel" (re-issue)
          "Waterfront" (#13 U.K., #19 Australia, #1 New Zealand, #16 Sweden)
1984:  "Speed Your Love to Me" (#20 U.K., #76 Australia, #46 New Zealand, #18 Sweden)
           "Up on the Catwalk" (#27 U.K., #44 New Zealand)

1985:  "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (#1, #7 U.K., #1 Canada, #6 Australia, #3 New Zealand, #13 Sweden)
           "Alive and Kicking" (#3, #7 Australia, #3 Canada, #21 Australia, #5 New Zealand, #11 Sweden)
1986:  "Sanctify Yourself" (#14, #10 U.K., #17 Canada, #46 Australia, #22 New Zealand, #16 Sweden)
           "All the Things She Said" (#28, #9 U.K., #65 Canada, #46 Australia, #20 New Zealand)
           "Ghostdancing" (#13 U.K., #72 Australia)
1987:  "Promised You a Miracle" (Live) (#19 U.K.)
1989:  "This Is Your Land" (#13 U.K., #40 Canada, #38 Australia, #26 New Zealand, #18 Sweden)
           "Take a Step Back"
           "Kick It In" (#15 U.K., #27 New Zealand)

1991:  "Let There Be Love" (#6 U.K., #15 Australia, #48 New Zealand, #9 Sweden)
           "See the Lights" (#40, #20 U.K., #10 Canada, #100 Australia, #27 Sweden)
           "Stand By Love" (#13 U.K., #70 Australia, #39 Sweden)
           "Real Life" (#34 U.K.)
1992:  "Love Song" (#6 U.K.)
1995:  "Shes a River" (#52, #9 U.K., #3 Canada, #29 Australia, #21 New Zealand, #26 Sweden)
           "Hypnotised" (#18 U.K., #34 Canada, #85 Australia)
           "And the Band Played On"
1998:  "Glitterball" (#18 U.K.)
           "War Babies" (#43)
2001:  "Dancing Barefoot"
           "Homosapien"
2002:  "Belfast Trance" (#74 U.K.)
           "Cry" (#47 U.K.)
           "Spaceface"
           "New Sunshine Morning"
           "One Step Closer")
           "Monster"
2003:  "Don't You Forget About Me" (remix) (#92 Australia)
2004:  "Dirty Old Town" (with Jimmy Johnstone) (#46 U.K.)
2005:  "Too Much Television"
           "Home" (#41 U.K.)
2006:  "Stranger"
           "Different World"
           "The Jeweller (Pt II)"

2009:  "Rockets"
           "Stars Will Lead the Way"

This Date in Rock Music History: June 21

1948:  Columbia Records began mass production of the amazing new product--the 33 1/3 RPM long-playing record.  The format would dominate music sales well into the 1980's.
1955:  Elvis Presley appeared in concert at Beaumont, Texas.
1958:  Bobby Darin recorded "Splish Splash".

1961:  Bobby Vee recorded "Take Good Care of My Baby".
1966:  The Rolling Stones sued 14 New York City hotels that refused to let the band stay there, accusing them of "discrimination on account of national origin."  Did they ever think it might have been because of the people they were?
1966:  The Marquee Club in London was all abuzz about that new guitarist with the Yardbirds.  Jimmy Page appeared in concert for the first time with his new group.
1966:  Tom Jones required 14 stitches in his forehead after a car crash in Marble Arch, London.
1966:  The Beatles recorded the song "She Said She Said".
1967:  The Grateful Dead, Big Brother & the Holding Company and Quicksilver Messenger Service performed at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
1968:  The Doors performed at Durham University in England.

1969:  "Get Back" one of The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era* maintained its position at #1 for the Beatles, making it five weeks in a row.  Henry Mancini's beautiful "Love Theme From 'Romeo & Juliet'" held steady at #2, CCR was up one with "Bad Moon Rising" while Elvis Presley took position #4 with his timeless "In the Ghetto".  The rest of the Top 10:  Marvin Gaye moved up to 5 with "Too Buy Thinking About My Baby", Three Dog Night climbed up to 6 with "One", Mercy's great one and only hit "Love (Can Make You Happy)" was on its way down to #7, the Friends of Distinction came in at #8 with "Grazing in the Grass", Oliver had #9 with "Good Morning Starshine" and Blood, Sweat & Tears had their second Top 10 song (moving 18-10) with "Spinning Wheel".

            It was only the beginning...for Chicago!


1971:  Two incredible 45's were delivered to radio stations on this date, a Monday.  The Bee Gees released "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" while Chicago had the two-sided classic "Beginnings"/"Colour My World".
1972:  Led Zeppelin was at the Denver Coliseum in Denver, Colorado.

1973:  Bread played their last concert in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1975:  Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple to form the hard rock group Rainbow.
1975:  If you weren't at London's Wembley Stadium on this date, you missed out.  There, you would see Elton John, the Eagles, the Beach Boys, Rufus and future Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh in concert.
1975:  The Eagles performed at the Day of the Green Concert in England to a crowd of over 120,000.
1975:  The Bee Gees had the fastest-rising hit within the Top 100--"Jive Talkin'", which moved from 65 to 41 on this date.
1975:  "Midnight Blue" by Melissa Manchester became the new #1 Adult Contemporary song.

1975:  Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John was #1 on the album chart for the third week--every week of its release.  The great album Venus and Mars from Wings moved from 25 to 2 but was still a long ways from the top, and That's the Way of the World from Earth, Wind & Fire was third.


1975:  The Captain & Tennille turned the Neil Sedaka song "Love Will Keep Us Together" into their first #1 song.  Linda Ronstadt came in second with "When Will I Be Loved", the amazing song "Wildfire" moved from 12-3 for Michael Murphey and Jessi Colter was at 4 with "I'm Not Lisa".  The rest of the Top 10:  Major Harris was at #5 with "Love Won't Let Me Wait", America's former #1 "Sister Golden Hair" was at #6, Van McCoy had the sound of the times with "The Hustle" which moved from 29-7 on this date, Joe Simon was at #8 with "Get Down, Get Down", Wings scored their 10th Top 10 and 14th overall with "Listen To What the Man Said" (including the Beatles, it made Top 10 hit #43 and hit # 79 for Paul McCartney) and Average White Band registered a Top 10 with "Cut the Cake".
1976:  Wings wrapped up their first North American tour at the Los Angeles Forum.
1979:  Angus MacLise, former drummer of Velvet Underground, died of tuberculosis at age 34.
1979:  Mick Taylor released his first solo album since leaving the Rolling Stones in 1975.
1980:  The Beach Boys, Santana, Mike Oldfield and Lindisfarne performed at Knebworth Park in England.
1980:  Glass Houses from Billy Joel was #1 on the album chart for a second week.

1980:  Singer, songwriter and arranger Bert Kaempfert passed away at the age of 56. 
1981:  Donald Fagan and Walter Becker announced that Steely Dan was breaking up.
1982:  Crosby, Stills & Nash released their comeback single "Wasted on the Way".
1986:  "There'll Be Sad Songs" by Billy Ocean took over at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

1986:  Heart posted the sixth Top 10 hit of their career when "Nothin' at All" jumped into the list on this date.

 The Outfield had a Top 10 album

1986:  The debut album Whitney Houston was #1 for a 13th week, and in its 65th week of release no less.  Winner in You from Patti LaBelle was #2 followed by Janet Jackson's Control and Like a Rock from Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band.  The rest of the Top 10:  5150 by Van Halen, Raised on Radio remaining at 6 for Journey, Please by the Pet Shop Boys, Love Zone from Billy Ocean moving into the Top 10, Parade from Prince and Play Deep by the Outfield at #10.
1988:  The Rascals began a reunion tour.
1988:  Bruce Springsteen thrilled fans with a show at the Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, England.

1990:  Little Richard received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1993:  Whitney Houston released the single "Run To You".
1993:  Some groups, like the Eagles for example, can be adults--others can't.  On this date, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from John Fogerty, who was trying to recoup legal fees from a battle over song copyrights with the other former members of Creedence Clearwater Revival.  This is 30 years after the band broke up.  Soon they will die and they'll discover that all of this wasn't really that important.
1998:  Bobby Brown was charged with sexual battery at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.  What a surprise.
2002:  U2 and the Corrs perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
2003:  R.E.M. began their first tour in four years in Holland.
2006:  Busta Rhymes had the top album with The Big Bang.
2008:  Disturbed had the top album with Indestrucible.


Born This Day:

1932:  O.C. Smith ("Little Green Apples" from 1968) was born in Mansfield, Louisiana; died November 23, 2001.

1944:  Ray Davies, the founder and genius behind the Kinks, was born in Muswell Hill, England.
1944:  Miguel Vicens of Los Bravos ("Black Is Black" from 1966) was born in Ferrol, Galacia.
1945:  Chris Britton of the Troggs

1946:  Brenda Holloway ("Every Little Bit Hurts" from 1964) was born in Atascadero, California.
1947:  Joey Molland, songwriter and guitarist for Badfinger, was born in Edge Hill, Liverpool, England.
1949:  Greg Munford of Strawberry Alarm Clock
1950:  Joey Kramer, drummer of Aerosmith, was born in New York City, New York.
1951:  Alan Silson of Smokie ("If You Think You Know How To Love Me" was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England.
1951:  Nils Lofgren, a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and also a solo performer, was born in Chicago, Illinois.
1957:  Mark Brzezicki, drummer of Big Country, was born in Slough, Berkshire, England.
1959:  Marcella Detroit of Shakespear's Sister and the songwriter of "Lay Down Sally" for Eric Clapton, was born in Detroit, Michigan.
1968:  Sonique ("It Feels So Good" and Sky" from 2000) was born in London.
1975:  Justin Cary, bassist of Sixpence None the Richer
1976:  Michael Einziger, co-songwriter and guitarist of Incubus, was born in Los Angeles.