This Date in Rock Music History: October 11

1955:  Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and a new star by the name of Elvis Presley began an eleven-concert swing through the South with a stop in Abilene, Texas.

1960:  The audience at the Village Vanguard was introduced to a promising new singer in her stage debut.  Aretha Franklin sang at the club in New York City.
1961:  The Highwaymen had the top U.K. song with "Michael".

1963:  The Beatles were awarded their first gold record for "She Loves You".

1964:  The Who were at Wolsey Hall in Cheshunt, England.

1967:  John Lennon and Yoko Ono opened their joint art exhibition at Lisson Gallery in London.

1968:  The Beatles were there at Abbey Road studios as six saxophonists recorded their parts for the track "Savoy Truffle".  George Harrison mixed the sound by using distortion.

1969:  For the fourth straight week, Oliver's "Jean" topped the Easy Listening chart.

1969:  Tommy James & the Shondells rotated up from 82 to 52 with "Ball of Fire".

                                CCR was red-hot

1969:  The Archies had the #1 song for the fourth straight week with "Sugar, Sugar", the #1 bubblegum song of the Rock Era.  Oliver remained steady with "Jean" and Bobby Sherman didn't budge with "Little Woman".  The Temptations edged up to #4 with "I Can't Get Next To You" and Sly & the Family Stone was up nicely (9-5) with "Hot Fun In The Summertime".  The rest of the Top 10:  Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'", Three Dog Night with "Easy To Be Hard", the Rolling Stones fell with "Honky Tonk Women", Gary Puckett from Twin Falls, Idaho, and the Union Gap had their fifth Top 10 in six releases with "This Girl Is a Woman Now" and CCR had #10--"Green River". 

1974:  John Denver had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Annie's Song".

1975:  Art Garfunkel climbed to #1 on the Easy Listening chart with "I Only Have Eyes for You".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ronstadt had her second Top 10 album

1975:  Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd spent a second and final week at #1 on the album chart.  Windsong by John Denver was #2 with Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run trailing.  The great One of These Nights album by the Eagles sat in the fourth position while the Allman Brothers Band had #5--Win, Lose or Draw.  The rest of the Top 10:  Red Octopus by Jefferson Starship was moving back up, Janis Ian's Between the Lines was #7, the Spinners maintained at 8 with Pick of the Litter, Linda Ronstadt was up from 63 to 9 in the second week on the chart for Prisoner In Disguise and Jethro Tull joined the party with Minstrel in the Gallery.

1975:  Natalie Cole was #1 again for the second week on the R&B chart with "This Will Be".

1975:  Elton John debuted at #49 with "Island Girl".

1975:  Olivia Newton-John moved from 52 to 19 with "Something Better To Do".

   John Denver with half of his double-sided 1975 smash

1975:  Neil Sedaka and Elton John had the #1 song with "Bad Blood".  John Denver's double-sided "Calypso"/"I'm Sorry" was second with David Bowie's "Fame" tumbling to #3.  Dickie Goodman's novelty song "Mr. Jaws" was fourth, but Jefferson Starship moved from 22-5 with "Miracles".  The rest of the Top 10:  Sweet and "Ballroom Blitz", Orleans nudged up with "Dance With Me", Helen Reddy's "Ain't No Way To Treat a Lady", Austin Roberts had song #9 with "Rocky" and the Eagles had their third straight Top 10 with "Lyin Eyes", which jumped up from 18-10.

1977:  Kansas released the top album of their career, Point of Know Return.

1980:  The Police reached #1 in the U.K. with the album Zenyatta Mondatta.

1980:  Barbra Streisand had the new #1 song on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Woman In Love", one of the Top AC songs of the 1980's.

1983:  Lionel Richie released his great second album Can't Slow Down.

1986:  "True Blue" a tribute by Madonna to then husband Sean Penn, who liked to use the expression, was #1 in the U.K.

1986:  Wang Chung was on the move (82 to 57) with "Everybody Have Fun Tonight".

1986:  Janet Jackson reached #1 for the first time of her career with "When I Think of You".  Canada's Glass Tiger moved to #2 with "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" and Stacey Q unbelievably reached #3 with "Two of Hearts".  Genesis moved from 7 to 4 with their great song "Throwing It All Away" and Tina Turner continued her comeback with "Typical Male".  The rest of the Top 10:  Huey Lewis & the News slipped with their former #1 "Stuck With You", Don Johnson moved into the Top 10 with "Heartbeat", Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson fell with "Friends And Lovers", Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" moved from 14 to 9 and Daryl Hall's solo hit "Dreamtime" was #10.

1986:  The #1 Adult Contemporary song was "Throwing It All Away" from Genesis.

1990:  Nirvana debuted their new drummer Dave Grohl for a show at the North Shore Surf Club in Olympia, Washington.

1997:  Boyz II Men debuted at #1 on the Album chart with Evolution.

1997:  Chumbawamba's great song "Tubthumping" was one of the hottest-moving songs, jumping from 35 to 21 on this date.

1997:  Elton John debuted at #1 with "Candle in the Wind".  Boyz II Men dropped after one week at the top with "4 Seasons of Loneliness" and LeAnn Rimes had song #3--"How Do I Live".  Usher was on his way down with "You Make Me Wanna...".  The rest of the Top 10:  Mariah Carey's "Honey", the Backstreet Boys and "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)", newcomers Third Eye Blind remained the same with "Semi-Charmed Life", the Notorious B.I.G. with Puff Daddy & Mase with "Mo Money Mo Problems", Jewel was up with "Foolish Games"/"You Were Meant for Me" and the Spice Girls dropped with "2 Become 1".

1998:  Ringo Starr and wife Barbara Bach entered a rehabilitation center in Tucson, Arizona to be treated for alcoholism.  Bravo for taking the right step.

2003:  In today's episode of Inmates Run Rap Music, Sonny Spoon was arrested in Macon, Georgia for possession of marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine.

2004:  Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks concluded their Vote for Change tour at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.

2005:  Rod Stewart received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2006:  Evanescence ruled the Album chart with The Open Door.

2009:  Barbra Streisand became the first artist of the Rock Era to achieve a #1 album in five different decades.  Her newest release Love is the Answer became the ninth #1 of her career.

Born This Day:

1946:  Daryl Hohl, who became better known as Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Note:  some websites report his birthday as November 10, but according to 'Billboard' and other reputable sources, it was October 11.)

1946:  Gary Mallaber, drummer with the Steve Miller Band, was born in Buffalo, New York.

1950:  Andrew Woolfolk, saxophone player for Earth, Wind & fire, was born in San Antonio, Texas.
1957:  Chris Joyce, drummer of Simply Red, was born in Manchester, England.

1957:  Blair Cunningham, drummer for Paul McCartney and Haircut One Hundred ("Love Plus One" from 1982) was born in Memphis, Tennessee. 

1962:  Scott Johnson, guitarist  of Gin Blossoms 

1971:  Lana Michele Moorer (MC Lyte) was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Discography: Don Henley

As is the case with Don Henley's albums with the Eagles, less is more.  In fact, you'll find few artists in the Rock Era that contain more substantial and relevant lyrics on fewer albums than Henley in his career.  Here is his complete Discography:

1982:  I Can't Stand Still (#24, #24 U.K., #5 Canada, #14 New Zealand, #22 Norway, #34 Sweden)
1984:  Building the Perfect Beast (#13, #14 U.K., #17 Canada, #18 New Zealand, #15 Norway, #24 Sweden)

1989:  The End of the Innocence (#8, #17 U.K., #8 Canada, #40 Australia, #37 New Zealand, #15 Norway, #11 Sweden--his best career solo album.
2000:  Inside Job (#7, #25 U.K., #8 Canada, #37 Norway, #22 Sweden

Compilations:
1995:  Actual Miles:  Henley's Greatest Hits (#48, #13 Canada)
2009:  The Very Best of Don Henley (#29 U.K., #20 Norway, #19 Sweden

This Date in Rock Music History: October 10

1959:  We all have career choices to make.  On this date, Ken Brown decided to leave the Quarrymen, leaving John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison to fend for themselves.  (Don't worry about them; they were going to be fine...)  The group had played at the popular Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England in a show that Brown was unable to perform due to a heavy cold.  McCartney felt that Brown should not get a share of the performance fee since he did not perform.  Lennon and Harrison sided with McCartney and so Brown quit the group.  

1959:  Brenda Lee was hospitalized with a thyroid deficiency in Nashville, Tennessee.
1963:  The Rolling Stones, the Everly Brothers, Little Richard and Bo Diddley performed at the Gaumont in Wolverhampton, England.
1964:  The Beatles were in concert with two shows at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, England.
1964:  Brian Epstein signed a contract to manage the New Christy Minstrels, which would in the next few years include Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes and Barry McGuire among its members.

1964:  Manfred Mann grabbed the #1 position with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy".  Martha & the Vandellas moved up to challenge with "Dancing In The Street" while the previous #1 "Oh Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison was #3.  Gale Garnett was up to 4 with "We'll Sing In The Sunshine" but a hot song from J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers ("Last Kiss") was up from 9-5.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Shangri-Las had song #6--"Remember ("Walkin' In The Sand)", Chad & Jeremy moved to #7 with "A Summer Song", Gene Pitney's "It Hurts To Be In Love", the Beach Boys scored another Top 10 with "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" and Betty Everett and Jerry Butler reached the list with "Let It Be Me".
1965:  The Supremes made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.  Petula Clark was also on the show that night.

1966:  Simon and Garfunkel released the classic album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme.










1966:  The Seekers released the great song "Georgy Girl".
1966:  Roger Williams remained at #1 on the Easy Listening chart with "Born Free".









1966:  The Beach Boys released the most expensive 45 ever produced--the elaborate "Good Vibrations".
1970:  Pink Floyd released the album Atom Heart Mother.  (Note:  some websites report the release as October 5, but according to the official Pink Floyd website, it was October 10.
1970:  Black Sabbath went to #1 on the U.K. Album chart with Paranoid.





1970:  A new duo took over at #1 on the Easy Listening chart--"We've Only Just Begun" was the name of their follow-up to their first hit "Close To You" from the Carpenters.
1970:  The Jackson 5 moved to #1 on the R&B chart with their first release--"I'll Be There".







1970:  Neil Diamond sipped his way to #1 with "Cracklin' Rosie" but the Jackson 5 were hot in pursuit with "I'll Be There".  "Candida" moved to #3 for Dawn while the previous #1 from Diana Ross--"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" came in fourth.  Newcomer Free was up from 10 to 5 with "All Right Now".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Julie, Do Ya Love Me" by Bobby Sherman, CCR's double sided "Lookin' Out My Back Door"/"Long As I Can See the Light", Sugarloaf had their song "Green-Eyed Lady" in the Top 10, the Carpenters moved from 18-9 with "We've Only Just Begun" and Rare Earth was at 10 with "(I Know) I'm Losing You".

1970:  CCR set the pace on the Album chart for the eighth straight week with Cosmo's Factory.  Mad Dogs & Englishmen by Joe Cocker was second with the Moody Blues making a healthy move (7-3) for their album A Question of Balance.  The "Woodstock" Soundtrack dropped to 4 and the Third Album from the Jackson 5 catapulted from 12 to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Tommy from the Who, Chicago II, Abraxas debuted at #8 for Santana, After the Gold Rush by Neil Young and James Taylor first hit it big with the album Sweet Baby James.



1977:  Paul Simon released the song "Slip Slidin' Away".













1979:  It was "Fleetwood Mac Day" in Los Angeles as the supergroup was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.







1980:  The funeral for departed drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin took place at the Rushock Parish Church in Worcestershire, England.  Bonham was found dead at the age of 32 at the home of guitarist Jimmy Page, a victim of asphyxiation after excessive vodka consumption.  Among the 250 mourners were Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Denny Laine (of Wings), Carl Palmer (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer), and Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan of the Electric Light Orchestra.
1981:  A bright talent first appeared on the national scene as Luther Vandross debuted on the chart with his first single--"Never Too Much".
1981:  The Police patrolled the U.K. album chart from their view on top with Ghost in the Machine.
1981:  The Four Tops were spinning as their song "When She Was My Girl" was the #1 Adult Contemporary song.
1981:  Christopher Cross held on to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)".

1981:  "Endless Love" from Diana Ross & Lionel Richie was #1 for the ninth week, 12th longest in the Rock Era.  Christopher Cross was poised with "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" and "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was a solid #3.  Journey remained the same with "Who's Crying Now" while Sheena Easton returned to the Top 10 with an 11-5 jump--"For Your Eyes Only".  The rest of the Top 10:  Eddie Rabbitt taking it "Step By Step", the Rolling Stones moved to #7 with "Start Me Up", Hall & Oates joined the group with "Private Eyes", Foreigner's 10th hit "Urgent" was on its way down while ELO held on with "Hold On Tight".

1983:  John Cougar Mellencamp released the single "Crumblin' Down", the first single release to include his last name.

1983:  Culture Club released the single "Church of the Poison Mind".

1983:  Wham! began a tour at the Capitol Center in Aberdeen, Scotland.
1987:  A new star first appeared on the chart as Taylor Dayne debuted with her first single "Tell It To My Heart".
1987:  Fleetwood Mac took over the top spot on the AC chart with "Little Lies".




1987:  Whitesnake had been duly patient and was rewarded with the #1 song "Here I Go Again".  





1987:  Bad by Michael Jackson was #1 for the third straight week, heading off Whitesnake and Whitney by Whitney Houston.  La Bamba from Los Lobos remained at 4 and Hysteria by Def Leppard was just getting started.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Lonesome Jubilee from John Cougar Mellencamp, the Soundtrack to "Dirty Dancing" jumped from 12 to 7, A Momentary Lapse of Reason from Pink Floyd entered the Top 10, The Joshua Tree by U2 was #9 and Heart's Bad Animals slipped to #10.
1988:  U2 released the live album Rattle and Hum.
1992:  Slash of Guns N' Roses married Renee Suran in Marina Del Rey, California.
1992:  R.E.M. landed at #1 on the U.K. Album chart with Automatic for the People.
1992:  Don Henley & Patty Smyth had the #1 AC song for the fourth straight week with "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough".
1998:  The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill resumed its spot as the #1 album, now four weeks total for Hill.
1999:  The estate of Elvis Presley donated items for a charity auction at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  A cigar box belonging to Presley sold for $25,000 a wristwatch brought in 25 grand, an autographed baseball fetched $19,000 and Elvis's 1956 Lincoln Continental sold for $250,000.
1999:  Christina Aguilera owned the top U.K. song with "Genie in a Bottle".
2001:  Trouble at the Paradise?  Dennis DeYoung of Styx sued the rest of the band for going on tour without him.

2004:  Robbie Williams had the top U.K. song with "Radio", his sixth #1 on that chart.
2004:  R.E.M. owned the top album in the U.K. with Around the Sun.
2007:  Art Todd, who enjoyed the hit "Chanson D'Amour" with wife Dotty, died at age 93 of congestive heart failure in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
2009:  Stephen Gately of Boyzone died at the age of 33 due to a pulmonary oedema – an accumulation of fluid on the lungs --  at his vacation home in Port d'Andratx, Majorca, Spain.
2010:  Solomon Burke ("Got to Get You Off My Mind" from 1965) died of natural causes on a plane that had just landed at Amsterdam International Airport from Los Angeles.


Born This Day:

1914:  Ivory Joe Hunter ("Since I Met You Baby" from 1956), who is estimated to have written over 7,000 songs, was born in Kirbyville, Texas; died November 8, 1974 of lung cancer in Memphis, Tennessee.
1934:  Jules Chaikin, trumpeter who worked with Chicago, the Carpenters, Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Jefferson Airplane, the Turtles, Paul Anka, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Johnny Mathis and Burt Bacharach, conductor for the Grammy Awards and the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, who also played music for the movie Star Wars, was born in Brooklyn, New York; died of heart failure November 23, 2012 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
1940:  Anita Humes of Essex ("Easier Said Than Done") was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; died of natural causes on May 30, 2010.
1945:  Jerry Lacroix, saxophonist of Blood, Sweat & Tears, was born in Alexandria, Louisiana; died in a hospital in Lufkin, Texas.
1945:  Alan Cartwright, bassist with Procol Harum, was born in London.
1953:  Midge Ure of Ultravox and writer of the Live Aid Song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was born in Cambuslang, Scotland.

1955:  David Lee Roth, the on again off again lead singer of Van Halen and a brief solo star, was born in Bloomington, Indiana.
1960:  Eric Martin, singer with Mr. Big ("To Be With You") was born in Long Island, New York.  (Note:  some websites report his birthplace as San Francisco, California.  Martin was born in Long Island, and later moved to San Francisco.)
1961:  Martin Kemp, bass guitarist of Spandau Ballet ("True" from 1983) was born in London, England.
1967:  Mike Malinin, drummer of the Goo Goo Dolls, was born in Washington, D.C.
1972:  Vincent Tattanelli, drummer of Nine Days, was born in Brooklyn, New York.

1979:  Mya was born in Washington, D.C.