Saturday, March 22, 2014

This Date in Rock Music History: March 23

1959:  Brook Benton had the #1 song on the R&B chart with "It's Just A Matter Of Time".
1959:  "Venus" by Frankie Avalon spent a third week at #1.  
1961:  Elvis Presley recorded "Can't Help Falling In Love" at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California.
1961:  Elvis Presley scored his seventh #1 in the U.K. with "Wooden Heart".
1963:  Ruby and the Romantics reached #1 on the R&B chart with "Our Day Will Come".  

Our Day Will Come(1r1-'63) by Ruby & The Romantics on Grooveshark
1963:  Ruby and the Romantics had the #1 song with "Our Day Will Come".   Skeeter Davis had a solid #2 with her great song "The End Of The World".  Bobby Darin's "You're The Reason I'm Living" remained third while the Chiffons were on the move from 10-4 with "He's So Fine" and previous #1 "Walk Like A Man" from the Four Seasons fell to the #5 spot.  The rest of the Top 10:  "Rhythm Of The Rain" by the Cascades, the Orlons stormed to #7 with "South Street", Eydie Gorme and "Blame It On The Bossa Nova", Johnny Mathis held steady with "What Will Mary Say" and Roy Orbison collected his 13th hit and 6th Top 10 with "In Dreams".
1964:  John Lennon's first book In His Own Write was published.  (Note:  several websites claim the book was published on April 27.  The correct date is March 23, according to 'The Beatles Bible' as well as the books 'Read the Beatles:  Classic and New Writings on the Beatles' by June Skinner Sawyers and 'The Art And Music Of John Lennon' by Peter Doggett.)
1968:  Paul Mauriat had a hold on #1 on the Adult chart for the sixth consecutive week with "Love Is Blue".






(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding on Grooveshark
1968:  The late Otis Redding was still at #1 with "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  Another one,  "Love Is Blue" by Paul Mauriat, which had spent five weeks at #1, now climbed back to #2.
1969:  Anita Bryant and the Lettermen appeared at a "Rally for Decency" in Miami that drew 30,000 people following Jim Morrison's indecent exposure onstage.
1970:  Although the Beatles had decided to abandon tracks recorded for the Let It Be album, business manager Allen Klein invited Phil Spector over to remix the recordings.  Spector's tampering with the original recordings further alienated Paul McCartney from the band.
1972:  The film of The Concert for Bangladesh featuring George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton premiered in New York City.  The documentary was previewed the previous night at the DeMille Theater.
1972:  Pink Floyd began the first of eight days recording performances at Pompei, Italy's Roman Amphitheater.
1973:  John Lennon was ordered by immigration authorities to leave the United States within 60 days.  He began fighting to win his 'Green Card', which was given to him on July 27, 1976.







1974:  Cher scored her third solo #1 with "Dark Lady".  That sent "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks backwards, but John Denver was up to #3 with one of his biggest career hits--"Sunshine On My Shoulders".  Eddie Kendricks was next with "Boogie Down" and husband and wife Carly Simon & James Taylor had #5 with "Mockingbird".  The rest of the Top 10:  Elton John moved from 12 to 6 with "Bennie And The Jets", Blue Swede with their remake of "Hooked On A Feeling", Paul McCartney & Wings moved to #8 with "Jet", Mocedades gave us the beautiful "Eres Tu (Touch The Wind)" and Kool & the Gang were on their way down with "Jungle Boogie".
1977:  Elvis Presley appeared at the Activities Center on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, the first day of a 49-date U.S. tour that would be his last ever.
1978:  Bill Kenny of the Ink Spots died of a respiratory illness in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada at age 63.
1979:  Van Halen released their second album Van Halen II on Warner Brothers Records(Note:  some websites report that the album was released March 25.  It was released on March 23, according to 'Guitar World' magazine.) 











1981:  Blondie had the #1 song in the country with "Rapture".
1985:  Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley were married in New York on a yacht moored on the Hudson River near the Statue of Liberty.  
1985:  Julian Lennon appeared in concert for the first time in San Antonio, Texas.








 
1985:  John Fogerty had the #1 album with Centerfield.  Phil Collins closed in with  No Jacket Required in just its second week for the great album.  Bruce Springsteen remained third with Born in the U.S.A. while Wham! dropped from the top spot with Make It Big.  The Soundtrack to "Beverly Hills Cop" came in fifth.  The rest of the Top 10:  Private Dancer from Tina Turner, Madonna fell down with Like a Virgin, REO Speedwagon dropped with Wheels Are Turnin', Foreigner's Agent Provacateur and Bryan Adams held on to #10 with his amazing album Reckless.








Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore by Reo Speed Wagon on Grooveshark
1985:  REO Speedwagon remained at the top for a third week with "Can't Fight This Feeling".  Madonna was bidding for another #1 with "Material Girl" (she wouldn't make it) and Phil Collins was up to 3 with his solo hit "One More Night".  After a concerted try at the top, Glenn Frey was down with "The Heat Is On".  The rest of the Top 10:  John Lennon's son, Julian, with "Too Late For Goodbyes", Teena Marie at #6 with "Lovergirl", Tina Turner and the title track from Private Dancer, Survivor moved from 14 to 8 with "High On You", Journey had their 19th hit with "Only The Young" and Frankie Goes to Hollywood closed the list with "Relax".
1987:  The Soul Train Music Awards debuted on television.  The big winners of the night were Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross and Cameo.  It was the first awards ceremony to honor black producers, songwriters and recording artists in the music business.
1990:  Fleetwood Mac began their Behind the Mask world tour with 14 dates in Australia, beginning at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane.
1991:  Hi-Five climbed to the top in R&B land with "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)".
 
 
You're in Love by Wilson Phillips on Grooveshark  
                       The great harmonies of Wilson Phillips...

1991:  Timmy T. had a huge #1 with "One More Try", taking over from "Someday" by Mariah Carey.  Gloria Estefan was up to #3 with "Coming Out Of The Dark" while Tracie Spencer followed with "This House".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Get Here" from Oleta Adams, Tara Kemp moved nicely with "Hold You Tight", Wilson Phillips had another big hit with "You're In Love", moving from 14-7, Londonbeat had people dancing with "I've Been Thinking About You", Madonna moved in with "Rescue Me" and Enigma jumped from 19-10 with "Sadeness Part 1".








1991:  For a fourth week, Mariah Carey's incredible debut album was #1.  
1992:  Janet Jackson signed with Virgin Records for $16 million.
1992:  The United States Supreme Court upheld a judgement awarding Bette Midler $400,000.  Midler had sued an advertising agency that used a Midler sound-alike in a commercial.
1996:  The Beatles debuted at #12 with their first release in 20 years--"Real Love".







1996:  Celine Dion scored her 12th hit and second #1 song with "Because You Loved Me".  The Tony Rich Project were runners up with "Nobody Knows".  Alanis Morisette had the only new Top 10 with "Ironic".
1996:  Alanis Morissette held on to #1 on the Album chart with Jagged Little Pill for a third week.  It wasn't close to done.

2000:  Sir Elton John's musical Aida opened on Broadway.  (Note:  some websites report the musical opened on March 24.  'The New York Times' review appeared the morning of March 24, and people who aren't aware that newspapers are printed and delivered the day after the news can make that mistake.)







 
2000:  Tina Turner kicked off the American portion of her farewell tour at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2002:  ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill married actress Charleen McCrory in Houston.
2004:  Usher released the album Confessions, allegedly inspired by his break-up with TLC's Chili.
2008:  Neil Aspinall, head of Apple Corporation's music empire for the Beatles from 1970-2007, died at a hospital in Manhattan, New York at the age of 66.  Aspinall was a long-time friend of both Paul McCartney and George Harrison.  Aspinall led the legal battle with Apple Computers over the use of the Apple name and a royalties dispute between the Beatles and EMI Records.  (Note:  some websites incorrectly report that Aspinall died March 24.  The correct date is March 23, according to the newspaper 'The New York Times'.)
2011:  The members of Deep Purple met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev before their concert in Moscow.

Born This Day:
 

1949:  Ric Ocasek, singer, songwriter, guitarist and founder of the Cars, was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
1950:  Phil Lanzon, keyboardist of Uriah Heap
 
 
 




 
 
 
1953:  Chaka Khan (real name Yvette Marie Stevens), lead singer of Rufus ("Tell Me Something Good" from 1974) and solo star, was born in Great Lakes, Illinois.  (Note:  some websites claim Chaka was born in Chicago, Illinois, but according to 'Billboard' and other reliable sources, she was born in Great Lakes.)
1965:  Marti Pellow (real name Mark McLoughlin), vocalist for Wet Wet Wet (remake of "Love Is All Around"), was born in Clydebank, Scotland.  (Note:  some websites report that Pellow was born in 1966, and some sites say he was born in Glasgow.  According to his official website, he was born in 1965 in Clydebank.)
1967:  John Strohm, singer and guitarist of the Lemonheads, was born in Bloomington, Indiana.
1968:  Damon Albarn, singer/songwriter of Blur and a producer, was born in London.  (Note:  some websites report Albarn was born in Whitechapel, London, or in Stepney, or in Leytonstone.  Whitechapel is a district, not a city, and Albarn was born in London, according to 'Billboard' magazine.)

Good Cross-Section of Countries

A great list of countries leading the way right now.  Here is the Top 10 in order of page views for the last 24 hours:

1.  United States
2.  Canada
3.  Germany
4.  France
5.  Australia
6.  China
7.  United Kingdom
8.  Saudi Arabia
9.  Indonesia
10.  India

Top Track: "Blinded By Science" from Foreigner

One of Foreigner's best albums was their third one, Head Games.  It didn't contain the huge hits that other Foreigner albums did, but track for track, it's arguably their best.  Here's just one of many great tracks from Head Games:

Two Great Unknown/Underrated Songs From Journey: "Feeling That Way" and "Anytime"

You get a bonus today with the feature The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.  Both these songs from the album Infinity deserve recognition.  It was a time when Steve Perry had just joined the group, and Journey would soon become arguably the most talented group in the world.

But Infinity was just the precursor to all of that.  Most music fans had not heard of Journey at that time, and they missed a great album.  These two tracks were set up to play back-to-back on the album, and Journey still performs them together because they sound incredible together.  Both "Feeling That Way" and "Anytime" should have been Top 10 songs long before their first Top 10, "Who's Crying Now" in 1981.

Enjoy!
 
 
"Feeling That Way"/"Anytime"
Journey
 
 
"Feeling That Way" written by Aynsley Dunbar, Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie
 
"Anytime" written by Robert Fleischman, Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Roger Silver and Ross Valory
 
 
"Feeling That Way"
 
Opened my eyes to a new kind of way
All the good times that you saved
Are you feeling,
You feeling that way too
Or am I just,
Am I just a fool

When the summer's gone
She'll be there standing by the light
Once she's been to where she's gone to
She should know wrong from right

A new road's waiting, you touched my life
Soft and warm on a summer's night
You're the only one, the only one I love
The lovely one, I'm thinking of
 
 
 
 
"Anytime"

 
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me to
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you need me

I'm standing here with my arms a mile wide
Hoping and praying for you
Listen to me and enlighten me
I hope that you need me too, 'cause,

Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you want me to
Ooh, ooh Anytime that you need me

Give me all of your sunshine
A spark is all I need
To take away, all of the shadows
Well what more can I say.
Anytime at all
Anytime at all
Anytime at all 

Friday, March 21, 2014

This Date in Rock Music History: March 22











1957:  Elvis Presley released the single "All Shook Up".
1956:  Carl Perkins broke four ribs and a shoulder when the car he was traveling in was involved in an accident that sadly claimed the life of his brother Jay.










1963:  The Beatles released the album Please Please Me in the U.K.
1964: Barbra Streisand opened in the Broadway play I Can Get it For You Wholesale at the Sam S. Schubert Theatre.
1965: Bob Dylan's first album featuring his electric guitar Bring it All Back Home was released on Columbia Records.








1967: The Who played their first U.S. show at the Paramount Theater in New York City.
1969:  The Temptations reached #1 on the R&B chart with "Run Away Child, Running Wild".
1969:  Glen Campbell's album Wichita Lineman, featuring the great title track, was #1 on the Album chart.  Cream's farewell album Goodbye was second while The White Album by the Beatles, which had held on to #1 for 10 weeks, was still hanging around at #3.







Dizzy by Tommy James & The Shondells on Grooveshark
1969:  There were fun times in music as Tommy Roe held on to #1 with "Dizzy", one of The Top 10 Bubblegum Songs of the Rock Era*.  CCR was in their favorite place of #2 with "Proud Mary".
1971: Police arrested all members of the Allman Brothers Band for heroin and marijuana possession in Jackson, Mississippi.
1973: Traffic and Spooky Tooth (Mick Jones, Gary Wright) appeared at The Hard Rock in Manchester, England.







The Eagles On The Border Album Cover
1974: The Eagles released their third LP, On the Border.
1975: Barry Manilow made his first appearance on American Bandstand.
1975:  The Bay City Rollers ruled in the U.K. with their remake of the Four Seasons' song "Bye Bye Baby".








1975: Led Zeppelin, who had debuted at #3 the previous week, took over at #1 on the Album chart with Physical Graffiti.  Olivia Newton-John was #2 with Have You Never Been Mellow with Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks coming in third.  One of the career best for the Doobie Brothers, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, held down #4 after 45 weeks of release.








1975:  Earth, Wind & Fire had the new #1 on the R&B chart with their great song "Shining Star".
1975:  B.J. Thomas scored another #1 on the Adult chart with "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song".
1975:  Elton John roared from #35 to #11 with "Philadelphia Freedom".








My Eyes Adored You by The Four Seasons on Grooveshark
1975:  Frankie Valli completed one of the most amazing comeback stories of the Rock Era when he climbed the final step of the ladder to #1 with "My Eyes Adored You".  He had not had a Top 10 hit in seven years.  LaBelle moved to #2 with "Lady Marmalade" while Minnie Riperton was up with "Lovin' You".  Previous #1 "Black Water" from the Doobie Brothers fell and former #1 "Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton-John was on its way down.  The rest of the Top 10:  "Express" from B.T. Express, Joe Cocker scored one of his only Top 10's with "You Are So Beautiful", Phoebe Snow moved from 11-8 with "Poetry Man", Ringo Starr burst into the group with "No No Song" and Sugarloaf remained at #10 with "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You".  














1977:  Stevie Wonder released the single "Sir Duke".











1977: John Denver's television special Thank God I'm a Country Boy was shown on ABC.
1978: The Police signed a recording contract with A&M Records.
1979: Chaka Khan gave birth to a son, Damien Milton Patrick Holland.








1980:  Pink Floyd posted their only #1 song on this date--"Another Brick In The Wall", holding off "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg, although many stations favored the latter.  Queen finally came off their perch after four weeks with "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".  Andy Gibb had his sixth straight Top 10 to begin his career ("Desire"), one of the top feats for a newcomer in the Rock Era.  The rest of the Top 10:  the Spinners were up to 6 with the medley "Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl", Donna Summer's "On the Radio", Rupert Holmes and "Him", Shalamar edged up with "The Second Time Around", Kool & the Gang had another Top 10 with "Too Hot" and Linda Ronstadt moved up with "How Do I Make You".







1980:  Promising newcomers Air Supply were rewarded for a great song by reaching #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Lost In Love".









Hurts So Bad by Linda Ronstadt on Grooveshark     
   Linda Ronstadt from 'Mad Love' with "Hurts So Bad"...

1980:  It was evident that the album The Wall by Pink Floyd was going to be one of The Top 100 Albums of the Rock Era*, spending a 10th week at #1.  Damn the Torpedoes from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was at #2 for seven of those with Linda Ronstadt jumping to #3 in just the second week of release for Mad Love.  Rush's excellent Permanent Waves was third while Heart's rocker Bebe Le Strange gained the #5 position.  The rest of the Top 10:  The superb Phoenix from Dan Fogelberg, the Whispers with their self-titled album, Fun and Games from Chuck Mangione, Bob Seger moved from 20 to 9 in just his second week with his third consecutive smash album in a row--Against the Wind and Michael Jackson stood pat at #10 with Off the Wall.
1986:  Starship controlled the AC chart with "Sara".






1986:  Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done for Me Lately" topped the R&B chart.
1986:  Newcomer Whitney Houston was on her way--her debut album, which had been out for a full year, was #1 for a third straight week.  








1986:  Heart had the first #1 song of their career with "These Dreams", although anyone who didn't place "Magic Man" at #1 bordered on lunacy.  Starship relinquished their spot with "Sara".
1992: Polygram Records announced that Tears For Fears had split up.









1994: Singer, songwriter and producer Dan Hartman died of an AIDS-related brain tumor in Westport, Connecticut. Hartman wrote "Free Ride" while he was with the Edgar Winter Group, had hits "Instant Replay" and "I Can Dream About You", and collaborated with Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Young, James Brown and Steve Winwood.







          
                                                  "Discoteque" from U2...

1997:  U2 debuted at #1 on the Album chart with Pop.  LeAnn Rimes moved up to challenge with Unchained Melody/The Early Years.  Celine Dion was moving back up after 52 weeks with Falling Into You and Jewel's masterpiece, Pieces of You, was fourth after 56 weeks.  The rest of the Top 10:  No Doubt with Tragic Kingdom, Spice from the Spice Girls, Live was back with Secret Samadhi, the Wallflowers grabbed position #8 with Bringing Down the Horse, Erykah Badu's Baduizm and LeAnn Rimes had a second entry with her breakthrough album Blue.
1997: Puff Daddy started a six-week run at #1 with "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down".
1999: Britney Spears' album ...Baby One More Time was certified triple platinum.






2000: With Angus Young present, the Spanish town of Leganes unveiled a sign designating a street "Calle de AC/DC".









2001: "Butterfly" by Crazy Town was #1.
2003: Guns N' Roses gave the Offspring a cease and desist letter after they announce plans to call their new album Chinese Democrazy (You Snooze You Lose). Chinese Democracy was the long-awaited album from Guns N' Roses.








2005: Rod Price, founding member of Foghat, died after falling down a stairway at his home in Wilton, New Hampshire after suffering a heart attack. He was 57.
2006: The High School Musical Soundtrack returned to #1 on the Album chart.
2006: Aerosmith canceled their North American tour as Steven Tyler entered the hospital for throat surgery.
2008: Mariah Carey reached #1 with "Touch My Body", her 18th #1 song. That tied Elvis Presley's record for the most #1 songs by a solo artist in the Rock Era. It was Carey's 79th week at #1, just short of Elvis's all-time record there.  (Note:  websites which claim that Carey has the most #1's among solo performers are forgetting Elvis's double-sided #1, in fact the biggest double-sided hit of the Rock Era--"Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog".  Both "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" reached #1.)
2009:  Lady Gaga had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Poker Face".



2013:  My Chemical Romance announced they were breaking up after 12 years together.









Born This Day:

1930: Stephen Sondheim, winner of eight Tony Awards, an Academy Award and numerous Grammys, was born in New York City.










1936: Roger Whittaker ("The Last Farewell" from 1975) was born in Nairobi, Kenya.
1941: Jeremy Clyde of Chad & Jeremy ("A Summer Song") was born in Dorney, England.









1943:  George Benson, ten-time Grammy Award winner, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1943:  Keith Relf, lead vocalist with the Yardbirds, was born in Richmond, Surrey, England; died of electrocution playing a guitar that was not properly grounded at the age of 33 on May 14, 1975.
1946:  Harry Vanda (member of the Easybeats and the producer of AC/Dc) was born in The Hague, Netherlands.
1947:  Patrick Olive of Hot Chocolate was born in Grenada.







1948: Andrew Lloyd Webber, songwriter, producer with Tim Rice and creator of the masterpiece play Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Les Miserables and many others, was born in London.
1948: Randy Jo Hobbs, bass guitarist with the McCoys ("Hang On Sloopy"), Montrose and the Johnny Winter Group, was born in Winchester, Indiana; died August 5, 1993 of heart failure in a hotel in Dayton, Ohio.  (Note:  'Billboard" reports Hobbs was born in Winchester; 'Allmusic.com' reports he was born in Union City.  We have to go with the credible music site.)







1957: Stephanie Mills ("Never Knew Love Like This Before") was born in Brooklyn, New York.
1963: Susanne Sulley, vocalist of the Human League, was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.
1979: Aaron Wright North, lead guitarist and co-founder of Nine Inch Nails, was born in Los Angeles.
1980: Shannon Bex, singer with Danity Kane, was born in Bend, Oregon.
1981: Shawn Mims was born in Manhattan, New York.  (Note:  some websites claim Mims was born in Old Westbury, New York, while others say he was born in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York.  Washington Heights is not a city; rather, it is a neighborhood, and neighborhoods are not official places of birth.  According to his agent, Richard De La Font, Mims was born in Manhattan.)

In Concert: Eagles from Melbourne, Australia ("Desperado") in 2004

During their "Farewell Tour" of 2004, the Eagles proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were one of a select few artists in history that sounded as good in their twilight as they did in their "prime".

The Top Acts from the Netherlands

The Netherlands include twelve provinces in western Europe and three Caribbean islands.  The European portion borders the North Sea on the north and west, with Belgium to the south and Germany on the east.

The Hague is a great rock scene which has given birth to many rock musicians, but the Netherlands' great acts come from all over the country:
 
Anouk
 
 
 
George Baker ("Paloma Blanca")
 
 
Herman Brood
 
 
 
Focus
 
 
 
 
 
Golden Earring
 
 
 
 
Nits
 
 
Shocking Blue ("Venus")
 
 
 
Tee Set ("Ma Belle Amie")
 
 
 
Vandenberg ("Burning Heart")

Top Five Countries by Page Views Today

Congrats to China and Brazil for making the Top 5 Countries today, two countries not often making the Top 5.  Welcome!  We are thankful you are discovering Inside The Rock Era, and hope you will become frequent guests!



1.  United States
2.  Germany
3.  Canada
4.  China
5.  Brazil


Editor's note:  We applaud you for learning English--America should require its citizens to learn a second language, for by doing that, and learning the cultures of other countries can the world come closer.  At any time should you wish to view Inside The Rock Era in your native language, you can click on the "Translate" button on the right side of the website near the top.

Another of the Most Popular Music Specials on Inside The Rock Era

Last week, we provided a link to the most popular music special we've ever done, The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 70's*.  One of the first we did since hitting the world wide web in 2011 was The Top 100 Albums of the All-Time in the Rock Era*.  It has received 31,800 page views, certainly nothing to sneeze at.  If you haven't yet checked it out, see what everyone else likes so much by clicking on the link below. 

You can always view this special as well as all of our other major music specials and lists by clicking on the Charts and Lists* Tab at the top of the website.

The Top 100 Albums of All-Time in the Rock Era*

Thursday, March 20, 2014

This Date in Rock Music History: March 21

1952:  Alan Freed staged the Moondog Coronation Ball, billed as "the first-ever rock & roll stage show", at the Cleveland Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.  Acts included the Dominoes and Tiny Grimes.
1956:  Elvis Presley performed at the 4,000-seat YMCA Gymnasium in Lexington, North Carolina.  Tickets were $1 for general admission and $1.50 for reserved.
1957:  Elvis Presley, his father Vernon, and his mother Gladys, signed an official real estate contract to purchase the Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.  The official date of sale was several days later.
1960:  Dinah Washington & Brook Benton had the top R&B song for the sixth week with "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)".
1960:  Percy Faith had a lock on #1 for the fifth week with "The Theme From 'A Summer Place'".  
1961:  The Beatles played their first nighttime performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.
1963:  Barbra Streisand and Elliot Gould were married.
1964:  Jan & Dean recorded "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" with The Wrecking Crew (including drummer Hal Blaine, pianist Leon Russell as backing musicians).  The duo recorded five sessions in three hours, and Liberty Records decreed that no overtime was allowed.  They finished the first four with ten minutes left, and finished "Little Old Lady" in two takes.  (Note:  some websites claim the session was on May 14, but the correct date is May 21, according to the book 'The Wrecking Crew:  The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best-Kept Secret' by Kent Hartman.)
1964:  13-year-old Judy Collins made her live debut at New York City's Carnegie Hall, performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" .
1964:  Meet the Beatles!  was #1 for the sixth week on the Album chart.  Introducing...The Beatles was #2.
1964:  "She Loves You" by the Beatles hit #1, taking over from "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, which had spent seven weeks at the top.  What's more, the Beatles had #3--Please Please Me"  This was the first time in the history of the Rock Era in which one artist owned the top three songs and the Beatles would continue to do this in various combinations for four straight weeks.  The week's biggest mover was "Twist And Shout" by the Beatles, which moved from 55 to 7.  You think music was changing forever, maybe?






1966:  The Beach Boys released the single "Sloop John B".
1967:  The Turtles climbed to the top with "Happy Together".












  
1969:  Simon & Garfunkel released the single "The Boxer".











1969:  Tommy Roe had the #1 song with "Dizzy".
1970:  Faces, featuring new lead singer Rod Stewart, released the LP First Step.
1970:  Simon & Garfunkel spent a fourth week at #1 on the Adult chart with "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
1970:  Simon & Garfunkel also had the #1 overall song for the fourth week with "Bridge Over Troubled Water".  The Jaggerz was there at #2 with "The Rapper".  Chairmen of the Board peaked at #3 with "Give Me Just A Little More Time" and John Lennon moved from 15 to 4 with "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)".  The rest of the Top 10:  Brook Benton's "Rainy Night In Georgia", the Beatles had the highest debut of the Rock Era to that point at #6 with "Let It Be", the Hollies were next with one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*--"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", Edison Lighthouse jumped to 8 with "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", Santana and "Evil Ways" and the Delfonics moved inside the Top 10 with "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)".
1970:  Simon & Garfunkel's album Bridge Over Troubled Water was #1 for the third week.  It had only been out for six weeks.  Led Zeppelin II remained second with Hey Jude by the Beatles debuting at #3.  The Doors were back with Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Cafe, moving from 12 to 4.  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  Willy and the Poorboys from CCR, Abbey Road by the Beatles was #6, the self-titled Santana, Chicago II was #8, Tom Jones Live In Las Vegas and Johnny Cash dropped with Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.

1975:  Frankie Valli had a solo #1 with "My Eyes Adored You".
1981:  Phil Collins debuted with his first solo single--"I Missed Again".











1981:  After ten years of hard work, REO Speedwagon finally hit #1 with "Keep On Loving You".  John Lennon's "Woman" was second with Styx moving up with "The Best Of Times".  Dolly Parton's former #1 "9 to 5" dropped while Don McLean took position #5 with "Crying".  The rest of the Top 10:  Blondie and "Rapture", Neil Diamond's 47th career hit "Hello Again", ABBA's great song "The Winner Takes It All", Eddie Rabbitt was on his way down with "I Love A Rainy Night" and Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb combined for the week's #10 song--"What Kind Of Fool".








                               Amazing that Rush could achieve this sound with three members...


1981:  Hi Infidelity by REO Speedwagon was #1 on the Album chart for a sixth week.  Styx held steady with Paradise Theater with the Soundtrack to "The Jazz Singer" behind them.  John Lennon's Double Fantasy was #4 while the Police remained in the #5 position with Zenyatta Mondatta.  The rest of the Top 10:  Pat Benatar's Crimes of Passion, Blondie with Autoamerican, Rush was up to #8 after just three weeks with Moving Pictures, Journey with Captured and Barbra Streisand hit #10 with Guilty.
1982:  Donny Osmond starred in the title role of the Broadway play Little Johnny Jones.
1983:  Pink Floyd released The Final Cut, the last LP with Roger Waters on board.







1984:  Officials broke ground on Strawberry Fields, a section of Central Park purchased by Yoko Ono in memory of huband John Lennon.  It opened on October 9, 1985.  (Note:  many websites falsely report that Strawberry Fields opened on this date.  The ground breaking ceremony was on this date, but the park opened on October 9, according to the official website for Central Park.)
1987:  U2 released the LP The Joshua Tree.
1987:  Bruce Hornsby & the Range took over at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Mandolin Rain".









1987:  Jody Watley had the new R&B #1--"Looking For A New Love".
1987:  Club Nouveau hit #1 with their remake of the classic Bill Withers song "Lean On Me".  Janet Jackson was second with "Let's Wait Awhile".  Starship's comeback song "Nothing's Gonna' Stop Us Now" bounded from 10 to 3.  Bruce Hornsby & the Range were up to #4 with "Mandolin Rain" while Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram dropped with "Somewhere Out There".  The rest of the Top 10:  Genesis moved from 12 to 6 with "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", the former #1 "Jacob's Ladder" by Huey Lewis & the News tumbled, Bruce Willis had the song "Respect Yourself", Expose scored their first career Top 10 with "Come Go With Me" and Peter Gabriel's "Big Time" landed at #10.
1989:  Madonna released the album Like A Prayer.
1989:  Dick Clark announced that after 33 years, he would no longer host American Bandstand.

1991:  Leo Fender, the inventor of the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, died from Parkinson's disease at age 81.  Fender began mass producing solid body electric guitars in the late 1940's.
1992:  Michael Bolton and Kenny G. remained at #1 on the AC chart for the third straight week with "Missing You Now".










1992:  Vanessa Williams took over at #1 with "Save The Best For Last".












1994:  Bruce Springsteen won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Streets Of Philadelphia".
2003:  Kid Rock and country star Tim McGraw played a concert outside Detroit to benefit the Red Cross.
2003:  Bryan Ferry, lead singer of Roxy Music, divorced his wife Lucy for committing adultery.  
2006:  Three South African daughters, whose father Solomon Linda wrote "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1939, won a six-year court battle that gave the women 25 percent of all past and future royalties from the song.  Linda worked as a cleaner at a Johannesburg record company when he wrote the song.  He had received virtually nothing for his work and died in 1962 with just $25 in the bank.
2009:  U2 went to the top of the Album charts with No Line on the Horizon.


Born This Day:

1940:  Solomon Burke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; died October 10, 2010 while on a plane from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
1941:  John Boylan, producer and songwriter, who worked with Rick Nelson and the Association, was born in New York City.  Boylan managed Linda Ronstadt and introduced her to a group of musicians that she ultimately hired to be her backing band in 1971.  That group of musicians would later go on to form the Eagles.
1945:  Rosemary Stone, vocalist and pianist with Sly and The Family Stone
1946:  Ray Dorset, singer, guitarist and songwriter ("In The Summertime") with Mungo Jerry, was born in Ashford, Middlesex, England.
1949:  Eddie Money, singer, songwriter, guitarist and saxophonist, was born in Brooklyn, New York.




1950:  Roger Hodgson, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist with Supertramp, was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
1951:  Russell Thompkins, Jr., lead singer of the Stylistics, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1951:  Conrad Lozano, bassist for Los Lobos, was born in Los Angeles, California.
1953:  Robert Johnson of K.C. and The Sunshine Band was born in Miami, Florida; died in 1983 in Miami.
1958:  Jonathan Norton, drummer, percussionist and vocalist who has worked with Tracy Chapman, Rufus Wainwright, Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann, was born in Inglewood, California.
1967:  Jonas Berggren, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist for Ace of Base, was born in Gothenburg, Sweden.
1967:  Maxim Realty (real name Keith Palmer), vocalist with Prodigy, was born in Petersborough, Cambridgeshire, England.
1968:  Andrew Copeland, guitarist and vocalist of Sister Hazel, was born in Gainesville, Florida.
1980:  Deryck Whibley, songwriter, guitarist, lead vocalist and producer of Sum 41, was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.