Saturday, April 23, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: April 24



  1957:  Ricky Nelson released his first single "Teenager's Romance" on Verve Records.  (Note:  some websites claim the song was released April 27.  We know that Ricky made his musical debut on April 10 before the single was released, and it debuted on the charts on May 13.  According to 'United Press International', Ricky released the single on April 24.)











  1958:  After an earlier release on Mohawk Records failed, Dion & the Belmonts switched to Laurie Records and released the single I Wonder Why".  (Note:  some websites say the song was his first single release, ignoring the release on Mohawk.  Others say the song was released May 5.  According to 'United Press International', the song was released on April 24.)
1959:  Buddy Holly hit #1 on the U.K. Singles chart six weeks after his death with the Paul Anka song "It Doesn't Matter Anymore".



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The Prelude to The Top Songs of 1966 Rolls On...

We're just about ready to unveil The Top 100 Songs of 1966*, but before we do, we still have a couple more editions of the Prelude:





Spanish Flea
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass









Just Like A Woman
Bob Dylan









  Shapes Of Things To Come
Yardbirds









Summertime
Billy Stewart









If I Were A Carpenter
Bobby Darin









634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)
Wilson Pickett








Going To A Go-Go
Miracles

Friday, April 22, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: April 23

1963:  The Rolling Stones played at the Crawdaddy Club at the Station Hotel in Richmond, Surrey, England.
1964:  Peter and Gordon topped the U.K. Singles chart with “A World Without Love”.


1965:  The Four Tops released the single 'I Can't Help Myself".
1965:  The Rolling Stones opened their North American tour at the ArĂ©na Maurice-Richard in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.








1966:  Going Places by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass remained at #1 for the second of five weeks at the top of the Album chart . 

The Prelude to The Top Songs of 1966 Continues...

Here are 9 more songs just outside The Top 100 for the year:









Colour My World
Petula Clark









Don't Mess With Bill
Marvelettes









Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
Swingin' Medallions









Single Girl
Sandy Posey









Talk Talk
Music Machine









I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
B.J. Thomas









Turn-Down Day
Cyrkle









See You In September
Happenings










The Sun Ain't Gonna' Shine (Anymore)
Walker Brothers

More Great Songs from 1966 Outside the Top 100

The Top 100 Songs for any given year is always a big deal, but the years following that year provide our best clue as to what the best songs from that year actually are.  Songs that are the "flavor of the month" might rise to be big hits, but many of those are never heard from again.  The real key is how they stand the test of time.

There are songs just outside the Top 100 in a year that might continue to receive airplay, in fact more so than some so-called "big hits".  Because of that airplay and continued sales, some of those might pass songs that were included in a "Top 100" for that year.  Others have proven their worth and it is for that reason we are featuring them.  The year 1966 contained many songs that continue to be played to this day:



Rain
Beatles









Spanish Eyes
Al Martino









I Couldn't Live Without Your Love
Petula Clark









Message To Michael
Dionne Warwick









Keeper Of The Castle
Four Tops









A Must To Avoid
Herman's Hermits









Somewhere My Love
Ray Conniff









Just Like Me
Paul Revere & the Raiders









The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
Simon & Garfunkel









Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)
4 Seasons

Thursday, April 21, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: April 22

1955:  Elvis Presley was in concert at the New Boston High School Football Field in Texas.
1956:  Elvis made his Las Vegas debut at the Frontier Hotel in the first night of a two-week residency.  The artist who would become one of the most famous performers in Las Vegas history on this night though gave a miserable performance, and was booed off stage.

1957:  Elvis had his custom-built "Music Gates" installed at Graceland.
1962:  The three-year-old son of Jerry Lee Lewis (Steve) drowned.

Tributes Continue to Come in for Prince

tribute as the Hydro music venue in lit up purple. RIP




Thank you for so many great memories and performances


I am shocked to hear about the passing of a Prince. A fellow Minnesotan whose music impacted me for years. No more words for now...


. wasn't the kind of friend who was there when you DIDN'T need him. But he was ALWAYS there whenever you DID need him. 1,000 percent!


Love from . Our hearts are broken!


Terribly saddened by the devastating news... He truly is a legend and a hero of mine. RIP



Tributes to Prince

Senator : " was a phenomenal artist."




Fans honour Prince with dance party outside Apollo Theatre
Fans honour Prince with dance party outside Apollo Theatre
Fans have gathered outside the Apollo Theatre in New York for a Prince dance party to honour the passing of the artist.


Barack Obama says, 'the world lost a creative icon' in tribute statement to Prince


The is lit purple to celebrate the icon, Prince. ☔️đŸ’œ


- inspired me to always follow my artistic vision no matter what..and as well to go indie in biz in 95


One of the greatest moments of my life, in a life of many great moments, playing with .


Kasich praises "extraordinary musician" Prince:


Justin Timberlake on Prince: 'He’s somewhere within every song I’ve ever written.'


TWolves purple-ify their logo for Prince.


Prince, your music & boundless compassion will continue to inspire us all.


Prince was a pioneer, an icon and a trailblazer. We called him Prince, but he was really a King.


Elton John on Prince: "The greatest performer I have ever seen"


Mariah dedicated One Sweet Day to Prince tonight. She's been crying throughout the show. The emotion in her voice đŸ˜¢


beautiful Prince. I don't want to believe it.


NASA tweets out a purple nebula in honor of Prince.




One of the best Superbowl performances of all time. Nothing Compares 2 U. đŸ˜¢đŸ’œđŸ’”
Rest In Peace, Prince.