This Date in Rock Music History: November 30

1954:  Nat King Cole played the first of six nights at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York.

1960:  The Shirelles re-released the single "Dedicated To The One I Love".  (Note:  some websites claim the single was released in December of 1961.  It was first released in April of 1959, then re-released after "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" became a hit.  The second time, it debuted on the chart on December 26, 1960, so it is physically impossible for the song to chart in 1960 and then not be released until 1961.) 

1960:  The Beatles performed for the final time at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg, Germany, wrapping up a 56-night run.
1963:  "She Loves You" returned to #1 on the U.K. chart. 
1963:  With the Beatles, was #1 on the Album chart in the U.K. on this date.  (Note:  several websites erroneously say that the album was the first million-seller in the U.K.  Not true.  The Soundtrack to "South Pacific" achieved that feat this month, while 'With the Beatles" did not reach one million until 1965.)






1965:  Petula Clark released the single "Downtown".











1965:  Lou Christie released the single "Lightnin' Strikes".
1968:  Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & the Holding Company took over as the #1 album.
1968:  Mary Hopkin ruled the Easy Listening chart for a fifth week with "Those Were The Days".
1969:  Simon & Garfunkel's television special Songs of America was broadcast.
1969:  Here's a show for you:  King Crimson, Iron Butterfly, Ten Years After, the Band, Janis Joplin, Steppenwolf, the Moody Blues and the Rolling Stones in concert at the International Raceway Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida.
1969:  The Monkees appeared in what would be their final live performance in 15 years at the Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California.

1970:  Dave Edmunds released the single "I Hear You Knocking".










1971:  Al Green released the single "Let's Stay Together".  (Note:  one website reports the release as 1972--the song debuted on both the R&B and Popular charts on December 4, making it physically impossible for the song to be released after it charted.)
1974:  Neil Sedaka's big comeback hit "Laughter In Rhe Rain" remained on top of the Adult chart for a second week.








      The Three Degrees with their Supremesesque smash...

1974:  Billy Swan enjoyed a second week at #1 with "I Can Help" but newcomer Carl Douglas moved to challenge with "Kung Fu Fighting".  The Three Degrees were up from 8 to 3 with "When Will I See You Again".  B.T. Express backtracked with "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" and Neil Diamond ("Longfellow Serenade") and Carl Carlton ("Everlasting Love") held on to their positions.  The rest of the Top 10:  "My Melody Of Love" by Bobby Vinton, Bachman-Turner Overdrive  scored their first Top 10 hit, and it appeared to be a big one, as "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" rocketed up from 34 to 8, Harry Chapin edged up with "Cat's In The Cradle" and Helen Reddy achieved her 10th career hit and fifth Top 10 with "Angie Baby".

                   The title track from Not Fragile...

1974:  Elton John's Greatest Hits moved from #47 to #1 on the Album chart.  That bumped the Rolling Stones album It's Only Rock 'N Roll from the top after just one week.  BTO's breakthrough Not Fragile was third with Walls and Bridges from John Lennon moving to 4.











1977:  The Atlanta Rhythm Section released the single "So In To You".







 

1980:  Pink Floyd released the double album The Wall.
1982:  Bassist Ron McGovney played for the final time with Metallica at the Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco, California.
1985:  Wham!  had the #1 song in the U.K. with "I'm Your Man".
1985:  "Separate Lives" stood alone on the Adult Contemporary chart for a third week for Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin.




             
                         New group Mr. Mister...

1985:  Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin had the #1 song with "Separate Lives".  Starship flew down after two weeks with "We Built This City" while Mr. Mister was up to #3 with "Broken Wings".  Glenn Frey's "You Belong To The City" dropped after peaking at #2, Heart remained the same with "Never" and the Thompson Twins peaked at #6 with "Lay Your Hands On Me".  The rest of the Top 10:  Aretha Franklin with "Who's Zoomin' Who", Arcadia sung about "Election Day", Eddie Murphy had a hit with "Party All The Time" and ZZ Top hopped out of their "Sleeping Bag" to move from 14-10. 
1991:  Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli attempted suicide at the Mondrain Hotel in Los Angeles.
1991:  Dangerous by Michael Jackson topped the U.K. Album chart.
      
        Remembering this great one from Paula...

1991:  PM Dawn collected their second #1 song with "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss", moving Michael Bolton out of the top spot with "When A Man Loves A Woman".  Michael Jackson ripped up the chart from 35 to 3 with "Black Or White", Boyz II Men were a fixture with "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday", Prince's "Cream" dropped to #5 and Paula Abdul had the #6 song--"Blowing Kisses In The Wind".  The rest of the Top 10:  Color Me Badd moved from 21-7 with "All 4 Love", Naughty By Nature had "O.P.P.", Natural Selection entered the list with "Do Anything" and Bryan Adams dropped with his big hit "Can't Stop This Thing We Started".
1991:  Amy Grant had the new #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart--her great song "That's What Love Is For".

1991:  Garth Brooks' monumental album Ropin' the Wind was #1 for the eighth week.  MC Hammer had #2--Too Legit to Quit.  Other albums of note--Genesis debuted at #4 with We Can't Dance, Nevermind from Nirvana slipped to #5 after just eight weeks, the self-titled Metallica was #7, Time, Love & Tenderness from Michael Bolton entered the Top 10 and Garth Brooks fever was running high as his previous album No Fences entered the Top 10 after 63 weeks of release.
1994:  Tupac Shakur was shot five times during a robbery outside a recording studio in New York City, the day before the verdict in his sexual abuse trial.

        "Don't Speak"--the great track on Tragic Kingdom...

1996:  The good albums on the chart were Tragic Kingdom from No Doubt, which was #3 after 46 weeks, Celine Dion had #4--Falling Into You, Toni Braxton's Secrets entered the Top 10 with Secrets and the Best of Volume 1 from Van Halen was #10.
1996:  Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams hooked up for a fast-rising song--"I Finally Found Someone", up from 28 to 11.
1996:  Blackstreet remained at #1 for a fifth week with "No Diggity", holding off Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart" for now.
1999:  Don "Sugarcane" Harris, guitarist who worked with Little Richard, John Mayall and Frank Zappa, was found dead in his apartment from drugs in Los Angeles at the age of 61.  (Note:  some websites show his death as November 27, but 'The Guardian" newspaper, as well as the book 'Rock Obituaries:  Knocking on Heaven's Door' by Nick Talevski, show that Don's death was November 30.) 
2003:  Joey Ramone Place (the corner of Bowery and 2nd Street) was named in New York City for the musician from the Ramones.
2005:  System of a Down held the #1 spot on the Album chart with Hypnotize.
2006:  Cheffins auctioneers in Cambridge, England sold the final belongings of Syd Barrett, once with Pink Floyd.  The two-day sale raised a grand total of $233,786.
2008:  Take That achieved a #1 song in the U.K. with "Greatest Day".

Born This Day:
1914:  Allan Sherman ("Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" from 1963) was born in Chicago, Illinois; died of emphysema at his home in West Hollywood, California on November 20, 1973.  (Note:  several websites show his death as November 21, but the Hillside Memorial Park, where Sherman is buried, shows his death as November 20.)



1929:  Dick Clark, longtime host of American Bandstand, was born in Mount Vernon, New York; died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, California on April 18, 2012.
1937:  Luther Ingram ("[If Loving You is Wrong] I Don't Want to Be Right") was born in Jackson, Tennessee; died of heart failure in Belleville, Illinois on March 19, 2007.  (Note:  some websites place his birth year as 1937, but 'USA Today' reports that it was 1944.)
1937:  Frank Ifield ("I Remember You" from 1962) was born in Coundon, Coventry, England.
1943:  Leo Lyons, bassist of Ten Years After ("I'd Love To Change The World"), was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.




1944:  Rob Grill, singer, songwriter and bassist of the Grass Roots, was born in Los Angeles; died July 11, 2011 in a hospital in Orlando, Florida after sustaining a head injury several weeks before from falling after suffering a stroke in Lake County, Florida.  

1945:  Roger Glover, songwriter, producer, bassist and keyboardist of Deep Purple, was born in Brecon, Wales.

1954:  June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters, was born in Oakland, California; died April 11, 2006 in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke in February and being diagnosed with cancer shortly before her death.
1953:  David Sancious, keyboard player and guitarist and an early member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, was born in Long Branch, New Jersey.  (Note:  some websites mistakenly say his birthplace was Asbury Park, New Jersey; David's official website shows that he was born in Long Branch.)
1954:  George McArdle, bass guitarist of the Little River Band, was born in Melbourne, Australia. 





1955:  Billy Idol was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, England.
1957:  John Ashton, founding member and guitarist of the Psychedelic Furs, was born in Forest Gate, London.
1958:  Stacey Q ("Two Of Hearts" from 1985) was born in Fullerton, California. 
1965:  Paul Wheeler, guitarist of Icehouse






1968:  Des'ree ("You Gotta' Be") was born in London.









1973:  John Moyer, bassist of Disturbed, was born in El Paso, Texas.
1978:  Clay Aiken was born in Raleigh, North Carolina.

While enjoying the great music of America...

We dive into The Top 40 Artists of the Seventies* tomorrow with a great British group!

Join us then on Inside The Rock Era!

America, The #41 Artist of the Seventies*

The members of this great trio were all sons of American fathers and British mothers.  Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek met while attending London Central High School in the mid-60's.  They formed the group America with borrowed acoustic guitars and sensational three-part harmony.

The group began playing clubs around London, and in 1970, they landed a break in opening for the Who and Elton John at the Roundhouse.  This exposure helped land them a recording contract with Kinney Records in 1971 and assigned to the U.K. division of Warner Brothers Records.  America brought in Ian Samwell, lead guitarist for Cliff Richard, to produce their first album.  Jeff Dexter, Samwell's roommate, co-produced the album and became America's manager. 

America released their debut album with moderate results.  Samwell and Dexter took the group to Morgan Studios to record a few other songs.  One of them was called "Desert Song".  After several performances, the song was retitled "A Horse With No Name".  It was a worldwide hit early in 1972--#1 for three weeks in the U.S., #2 in Australia, and #3 in the U.K., and was certified Gold.

 

 

 

 

 

The album was re-released with the smash added, and it rapidly sold over one million copies, and this time, it became a #1 album.  A second single release kept up the momentum, as the single "I Need You" reached #9 in the United States, #7 on the Adult chart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another outstanding track on the album, and a fan favorite, is "Sandman".

The members of America moved to Los Angeles after their first album.  Since Samwell and Dexter lived in the U.K., the group had to get new management.  They decided to produce their second album themselves, and brought in veteran session drummer Hal Blaine and bassist Joe Osborn.  The aim was to evolve into a more rock-oriented style than their acoustic debut, and Peek began playing lead guitar.

 

 

 

America released the album Homecoming in 1972.  The single "Ventura Highway" led the way at #3 among Adults, and #8 overall.






 

Homecoming has now been certified Platinum as well.  "Don't Cross The River" is another excellent song on the album.  It made it to #23 on the Adult chart.

 

 

 

 

 

It had been an amazing year, and America won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards.  This is "Only In Your Heart".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The album Hat Trick (recorded at L.A.'s famous Record Plant) followed in 1973, and more good news for the group.  The original version of "Muskrat Love" landed at #11 on the Adult chart.

 

 

 

 

 

Following Hat Trick, America scored a coup in hiring producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick, who both were key players in helping the Beatles become the #1 act of all-time.  The immediate result was the 1974 album Holiday, with Martin taking the trademark acoustic sound of America and adding strings and bass.  The group released "Tin Man", a huge hit at #1 Adult and #4 overall.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday returned the trio to Gold status.  America made it two #1 Adult songs in a row with the single "Lonely People", which also rose to #5 on the Popular chart. (Please click on the "Play" icon in the top left-hand portion of the video...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1975, America released the album Hearts, which featured another of their best songs--"Sister Golden Hair".  It went straight to #1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearts too was certified Gold.  "Daisy Jane" reached #4 on the Adult chart and #20 overall.






 

America was already one of the top acts of the decade, and they released History:  America's Greatest Hits to take full advantage.  The compilation album has now sold over four million copies.  The new single "Woman Tonight" is still a fan favorite.





 

In 1976, the group recorded the album Hideaway at Caribou Ranch in Colorado, the location where Elton John recorded his popular 1974 album.  The results were not the same, either compared to EJ's Caribou, or compared to previous America albums.  The single "Today's The Day" did top the Adult chart.





 

"Amber Cascades" peaked at #17 on Adult chart.  Martin and the group recorded the album Harbor on the island of Kauai in Hawai'i in 1976.  Unfortunately, it continued the downward trend for the group, as it was the first America album to not go Gold, and all three singles did not chart.

In May of 1977, Peek renewed his Christian faith after years of recreational drug use.  Peek left the group and began recording Christian music.  Beckley and Bunnell decided to continue as a duo, and signed with Capitol Records.  America scored their final Top 10 song in 1982 with "You Can Do Magic". 

This incredible group enjoyed 14 hits in the Seventies--six of them were Top 10 hits, with two #1's.  America sold 7.5 million albums in the decade.

This Date in Rock Music History: November 29

1959:  Bobby Darin won Best New Artist and Record of the Year for "Mack the Knife" at the Grammy Awards. 








1963:  The Beatles released the single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in England.  For the first time in history, there were one million advance orders.
1964:  Paul McCartney and John Lennon were introduced to two members of the Miracles at the restaurant The Crazy Elephant in London.
1965:  The Soundtrack to "The Sound of Music" was #1 on the U.K. Album chart, followed by the Soundtrack to "Mary Poppins".  The "Help!" Soundtrack by the Beatles was third, Bob Dylan held #4 with Highway 61 Revisited and the Rolling Stones were at #5 with Out of Our Heads.

1966:  The Beatles continued to work on recording "Strawberry Fields Forever", with two more takes at EMI's studios on Abbey Road.  The group later remade the song, but the first minute of their final take on this day was remixed and incorporated into the finished product. 

1967:  Bob Dylan completed work on the album John Wesley Harding.  He brought in Pete Drake to play light pedal steel guitar and recorded the final two songs for the album--"I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" and "Down Along The Cove".
1968:  John Lennon released his first solo album Unfinished Music.

            "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", one of the great tracks on The White Album...

1968:  The Beatles sold 1.5 million copies of The White Album in the U.K. in its first week of release.
1969:  "Baby, I'm For Real" by the Originals topped the R&B chart for a fourth week.
1969:  Led Zeppelin shot up from 91 to 45 with "Whole Lotta' Love".





  
    R.B. Greaves with his bit hit "Take a Letter Maria"...

1969:  The double-sided smash "Come Together"/"Something" by the Beatles, rose from #7 to #1.  Blood, Sweat & Tears closed with "And When I Die", the previous #1 from the 5th Dimension--"Wedding Bell Blues" departed from the top spot and R.B. Greaves, after peaking at #2 with "Take A Letter Maria", was fourth.  New group Steam reached #5 with "(Na Na Hey Hey) Kiss Him Goodbye".  The rest of the Top 10:  The Flying Machine with "Smile A Little Smile For Me", Peter, Paul & Mary was up from 12-7 with their 20th and final career hit, Steve Wonder couldn't budge with "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday", CCR had a double-sided smash of their own, "Down On The Corner"/"Fortunate Son", that moved from 21 to 9 and Three Dog Night crashed into the Top 10, advancing from 18-10 with their great song "Eli's Coming".

Blues Part II, one of the reasons the BS & T debut was stunning...

1969:  The new Beatles album Abbey Road was #1 for a fifth week.  The self-titled Blood, Sweat & Tears moved back into the Top 10 after 44 weeks of release.








1971:  Carly Simon released the single "Anticipation".
1975:  Simon & Garfunkel had the #1 Adult song for a second week with "My Little Town".
1975:  Red Octopus became the first #1 album for Jefferson Starship.  









1975:  Former Temptation David Ruffin had a great new song--"Walk Away From Love", which moved from 60 to 37.










     One of several One Hit Wonders of the 70's--"Sky High"...

1975:  The Silver Convention moved up to #1 with "Fly, Robin, Fly", displacing "That's The Way (I Like It)" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.  Elton John scored his 13th Top 10 and seventh in a row with "Island Girl", while the Captain & Tennille were up to #4 with their follow-up to the #1 "Love Will Keep Us Together"--"The Way I Want To Touch You".  The rest of the Top 10:  The Staple Singers with "Let's Do It Again", newcomer Jigsaw at #6 with "Sky High", War's "Low Rider", Natalie Cole with her first hit "This Will Be", the resurgent Bee Gees had a new Top 10 with "Nights On Broadway" while the 4 Seasons dipped to 10 with "Who Loves You".
1976:  Jerry Lee Lewis accidentally shot his bass guitarist, Norman "Butch" Owens, twice in the chest while aiming at a soda bottle.  Lewis was charged with shooting a firearm within city limits.

1977:  Jay Ferguson released the single "Thunder Island".









1980:  ABBA scored yet another #1 in the U.K. with "Super Trouper", the group's 25th hit on that chart.
1980:  Stevie Wonder remained atop the R&B chart for the fifth straight week with "Master Blaster (Jammin')", his 13th #1 R&B song.






"I'm Gonna' Follow You"... Pat was her best on 'Crimes of Passion'...

1980:  The River by Bruce Springsteen was #1 on the Album chart for a fourth week.  Guilty by Barbra Streisand remained second after reaching the top while Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits was third.  Stevie Wonder's Hotter Than July preceded The Game by Queen.  The rest of the Top 10:  AC/DC moved to #6 with their new album Back in Black, Pat Benatar's sensational Crimes of Passion was #7, followed by Diana from Diana Ross, One Step Closer from the Doobie Brothers and the Jacksons were stuck at 10 with Triumph.
1980:  "Lady" by Kenny Rogers was the #1 Adult Contemporary song for a third straight week.

1980:  Kenny Rogers continued to set the pace with "Lady".  Barbra Streisand was still at 2 after owning the previous #1--"Woman In Love".  Donna Summer peaked at 3 with "The Wanderer" while Queen was still at #4 with "Another One Bites The Dust", although several stations had it #1 by now.  Diana Ross had her 25th solo hit and 58th career hit counting her work with the Supremes.

1984:  Band Aid released the single "Do They Know It's Christmas", with proceeds going for famine relief in Africa.

"Wanted Dead or Alive", the classic track from 'Slippery When Wet'...

1986:  Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live/1975-1985 was the #1 album while Third Stage by Boston was done.  Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi logged a sixth week at #2 after one week at #1.  Fore!  from Huey Lewis & the News took fourth.  The rest of the Top 10:  Dancing on the Ceiling from Lionel Richie, the landmark Graceland album from Paul Simon at #6, True Colors by Cyndi Lauper, Whiplash Smile from Billy Idol, Tina Turner's new album Break Every Rule dropped to #9 and Bruce Hornsby & the Range moved up from 18-10 in their 24th week with The Way It Is.

1986:  Billy Vera & the Beaters had a monster hit as "At This Moment" moved from 69 to 50.













1986:  The first Top 10 for Bon Jovi also became their first #1--"You Give Love A Bad Name".  The Human League dropped with "Human" while Madonna peaked at 3 with "True Blue".  Sun Valley, Idaho's Peter Cetera teamed with Amy Grant for a big hit--"The Next Time I Fall".  The rest of the Top 10:  Huey Lewis & the News continued their successful ways with "Hip To Be Square", Cameo's "Word Up" peaked at 6, the former #1 "Amanda" by Boston was down, newcomer Bruce Hornsby & the Range was up to #8 with "The Way it Is", Lionel Richie had song #9 with "Love Will Conquer All" and the Bangles sped into the Top 10 with "Walk Like An Egyptian".
1995:  Sammy Hagar married Kari Karte in San Francisco, California.
1997:  "Perfect Day", a song recorded by Elton John, Bono, David Bowie, Tom Jones and others to raise money for the U.K. charity Children in Need, rose to #1 on that chart.

1997:  Celine Dion's Let's Talk About Love was the #1 album in the U.K.

1997:  Higher Ground from Barbra Streisand debuted as the #1 album, her eighth #1 and 25th Top 10.  The best of the other new entries in the Top 10 was Yourself or Someone Like You from Matchbox 20.








         The great Chumbawamba song "Tub Thumping"...

1997:  Elton John held on to #1 for the eighth straight week with "Candle In The Wind 1997".  Usher would have to settle for having one of the top #2 songs of the Rock Era as "You Make Me Wanna..." was runner-up for a sixth week.  "How Do I Live" from LeAnn Rimes was behind them, Somethin' for the People moved up to #4 with "My Love Is The Shhh!" and LSG maintained with "My Body".  The rest of the Top 10:  Newcomers Chumbawamba and "Tubthumping", Robyn moved from 13-7 with "Show Me Love", Boyz II Men were down with "4 Seasons Of Loneliness", Allure with 112 dropped with "All Cried Out" and Mase remained at 10 with "Feel So Good".



2001:  George Harrison, the youngest and quiet guitarist for the Beatles, a ground-breaking solo artist and later in his career a member of the Traveling Wilburys, died of small lung cancer at his home in Hollywood Hills, California.
2003:  Beyonce, Bono of U2, Peter Gabriel, the Eurythmics, the Corrs, Jimmy Cliff and the surviving members of Queen performed at a concert at Greenpoint Stadium to raise awareness of AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa.
2005:  In today's Inmates Run Rap Music segment, DMX was sentenced to seven days in jail for driving with a suspended license.  Duh.  There's a reason they call it "suspended".
2006:  The High School Musical:  The Concert Tour kicked off in San Diego, California.
2007:  Artismus Pyle, former drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a convicted sex offender, was arrested for not registering a new permanent address.  Pyle had pleaded guilty to charges of attempted capital sexual battery by an adult on a victim younger than 12 and being principal to lewd and lascivious behavior on a child younger than 16.
2009:  Susan Boyle had the best-selling debut album in the history of the U.K. when I Dreamed a Dream sold 410,000 copies and went to #1.  (Note:  some websites claim it was the best-selling debut ever, but the Beatles recorded several albums that sold far, far more copies in their first weeks.)  
2009:  Boyle also had the #1 album in the U.S., setting a first-week sales record for a female debut album with 701,000 copies sold.
2013:  Dick Dodd, lead singer and drummer with the Standells ("Dirty Water"), died in Fountain Valley, California of cancer at the age of 58.


Born This Day:
1917:  Merle Travis, who invented the first solid body electric guitar and wrote "Sixteen Tons" for Tennessee Ernie Ford, was born in Rosewood, Kentucky; died of a heart attack in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on October 20, 1983.

1933:  John Mayall, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of the Bluesbreakers, one of the strongest roots in the British Family Tree, was born in Macclesfield, England.
1938:  Bobbi Martin ("For The Love Of Him" from 1970) was born in Brooklyn, New York; died of cancer on May 2, 2000 in Baltimore, Maryland.
1939:  Meco Monardo, musician and producer ("Theme From 'Star Wars'" from 1977) was born in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania.

1940:  Denny Doherty of the Mamas & Papas was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; died January 19, 2007 at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada from a second abdominal aneurysm.   

1940:  Chuck Mangione ("Feels So Good" from 1978) was born in Rochester, New York.
1941:  Jody Miller ("Queen Of The House" from 1965) was born in Phoenix, Arizona.








1944:  Felix Cavaliere, one of the great singers of the Rock Era and organist with the Young Rascals and later a solo artist ("Only The Lonely Heart Sees"), was born in Pelham, New York.








1947:  Ronnie Montrose, guitarist of Deep Purple, the Edgar Winter Group and Montrose, was born in San Francisco, California; shot himself in Brisbane, California at the age of 64 on March 3, 2012.








1951:  Barry Goudreau, guitarist of Boston, was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
1951:  Roger Troutman of Zapp was born in Hamilton, Ohio.
1958:  Michael Dempsey, bass guitarist of the Cure, was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe).
1968:  Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block was born in Worcester, Massachusetts.
1979:  The Game (real name Jayceon Terrell Taylor)  was born in Los Angeles.  Sorry, Los Angeles.

Rockin' Out As We Usher In December

There's one place in the world that is featuring the best acts of the 70's all together in one place, and that is right here on this website.

If you like hard rock, Inside The Rock Era is the place to be next week, as we'll have three great groups in a row lined up in The Top 100 Artists of the Seventies*.

We have a few more great acts to get to before that happens, so don't miss a day of the special on Inside The Rock Era!

While you're reliving the great CSN music from the 70's...

Another trio is just ahead of them, and they were awesome too.

#41 is next, tomorrow on Inside The Rock Era!

Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young), The #42 Artist of the Seventies*

At #42 for the Seventies*, we have this endearing and durable group formed from members of the 60's biggest acts.

Prior to the beginning of CSNY, rhythm guitarist David Crosby was with the Byrds, Stephen Stills and Neil Young were guitarists in Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash was a guitarist and vocalist with the Hollies.  A chain of events perhaps linked to destiny occurred that brought them together.  Crosby was dismissed from the Byrds in 1967.  The following year, Buffalo Springfield was no more, and Stephen Stills was without a job. 

The two began jamming together and writing songs.  Nash had become acquainted with Crosby when the Byrds toured the U.K., and Nash called David up in 1968 when he visited California.

At a party hosted by Joni Mitchell, the three performed "You Don't Have To Cry".  It didn't take the trio but a few bars to realize they shared a unique vocal chemistry.  Frustrated with the Hollies, Nash quit that group and joined his new friends.  Remarkably, they were turned down by Apple Records, so they signed instead with Atlantic.  Managers Elliot Roberts and David Geffen were instrumental in getting the trio signed. 

Crosby, Stills, and Nash released their self-titled album  as a trio in 1969 with Dallas Taylor on drums and sold over four million albums.  They then invited Neil Young into the fold for their first performances in 1969.  Initially, they sought a keyboardist and approached Steve Winwood, but Winwood was busy with the group Blind Faith.  So Young, also a client of Roberts, was an obvious choice. 

Young signed a unique deal, allowing him the freedom to have a parallel career with his group Crazy Horse.  Of the eight studio albums from Crosby, Stills, & Nash, three have included Young, and the four toured together in 1970, 1974, 2000, 2002, and 2006.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performed together for the first time on August 16, 1969 at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, Illinois.  They announced that they were leaving for Woodstock the next day, though they had no idea where that was.

The Woodstock Festival made stars of many artists, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young definitely benefitted from the high-profile appearance there.  With Young onboard, the quartet soared with the 1970 album Deja Vu in 1970.  CSNY took a Joni Mitchell song, "Woodstock" to #11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The follow-up single, "Teach Your Children" only reached #16, making it one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deja Vu has now sold seven million copies, the finest work of their career.  The Top Track* "Carry On" is also a featured song on the album.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another great track found on Deja Vu is "Almost Cut My Hair".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young and Crosby were living at a house near San Francisco when reports of the shootings at Kent State University came on television.  Young was furious, and wrote the song "Ohio" immediately.  The song was recorded and rush-released within weeks--that alone speaks to the gifts given these four musicians.  At a peak of #14, not only is "Ohio" another Top Underrated Song*, but also obviously one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

 

 

 

 

Another single, "Our House", was culled from Deja Vu and peaked at #30, another ridiculously low peak.  By the way, in compiling these rankings, we not only looked at each song that the artists recorded and its attributes; we also looked at how the song has done since its release and the ability to stand the test of time.  Plus, we look at the entire body of work by each Seventies artist, including album tracks.  Most of the material from CSNY has done rather nicely over the years.

But tension surfaced within the group, and they split after their 1970 summer tour.  Recordings from those shows would later appear on the double album Four Way Street.

Group members embarked on solo projects over the next several years.  Nash and Crosby recorded an album as a duo which was well-received.

Roberts finally convinced the group to resume, and rock promoter Bill Graham arranged a large outdoor stadium tour.  The band would often play for three and a half hours to thrilled crowds.

Meanwhile, Atlantic Records put together the compilation album So Far, which has now gone over six million in sales.  But common excesses of rock stars put a damper on the tour, and Young increasingly isolated himself from the other three.

When the tour ended, Crosby & Nash signed a separate recording contract with ABC Records and recorded two more albums.  They also became in-demand session musicians for artists such as James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.

Stills and Young made their own album, Long May You Run, in 1976.  After attempts at a CSNY reunion failed, Stills and Young erased the vocals of the other two when they had to leave to finish their album Whistling Down the Wire.  The Stills-Young tour ended when Neil abandoned Stills after a show in South Carolina.

After a Crosby & Nash concert in Los Angeles, Stills approached the two about reuniting, and this time, everything clicked.

One year later, the trio released the album CSN.  A single from the album, "Just A Song Before I Go", went to #5 on the Adult chart and #7 overall.

The album sold over four million copies for the group.  Only Fleetwood Mac's monumental album Rumours kept CSN from going to #1.

The trio has recorded several more albums together and music fans can still see one of the legendary groups of Woodstock on tour.

Crosby, Stills & Nash were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.  They are the only group in history to have all of its members inducted into the Hall twice--Crosby was inducted as a member of the Byrds in 1991, Stills as part of Buffalo Springfield in 1997, and Nash in 2010 as a member of the Hollies.  Young was also inducted for his solo career in 1995 and as part of Springfield. 

CSNY combined for 23 million in album sales in the 70's. 

This Date in Rock Music History: November 28

1960:  Elvis Presley had his 43rd hit and 15th #1 in four years--"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" 
1962:  The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool and then did a dance for the staff of Lewis Department Store at the 527 Club, also in Liverpool.
1963:  "She Loves You" by the Beatles returned to #1 in the U.K.
1964:  People by newcomer Barbra Streisand was the #1 album for a fifth week but Beach Boys Concert moved from 7-2.  Good ol' Dean Martin came in third with Everybody Loves Somebody while previous #1 A Hard Day's Night from the Beatles was #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  How Glad I Am from Nancy Wilson, Something New by the Beatles at #6, The Great Songs From "My Fair Lady" and other Broadway Hits by Andy Williams was seventh, followed by All Summer Long from the Beach Boys, Sugar Lips by Al Hirt and Hello, Dolly! by Louis Armstrong cracked the Top 10. 

1964:  "Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las took over as the #1 R&B song.

1964:  The Impressions had a hot song, moving from #96 to #59 with "Amen".











           The Kinks with one of the early rock standards...

1964:  The Shangri-Las advanced to #1 with "Leader Of Rhe Pack".  That bumped the Supremes down with "Baby Love" after four weeks while Jay & the Americans would "Come  Little Bit Closer" to #3.  The Zombies had one of their biggest hits with "She's Not There" and Lorne Greene edged up with "Ringo".  The rest of the Top 10:  Bobby Vinton stormed into the list with "Mr. Lonely", the Kinks had song #7--"You Really Got Me", the Rolling Stones moved up with "Time is On My Side", J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers dropped with "Last Kiss" and Johnny Rivers moved from 19-10 with "Mountain of Love".
1966:  Paul Revere & the Raiders released the album The Spirit of '67.


 1966:  Boise, Idaho's Paul Revere & the Raiders released the single "Good Thing".
1967:  The Beatles recorded the last "fan club record" as a group--Christmas Time Is Here!"
1968:  John Lennon pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana.  (Note:  several websites report that Lennon was convicted on November 29--he wasn't convicted; he pleaded guilty to the charges, according to numerous reputable sources as well as the book 'Read the Beatles:  Classic and New Writings on the Beatles' by June Skinner Sawyers.) 1968: Deep Purple played the first of four nights at the
Fillmore West in San Francisco, California on their first tour of North America.
1969:  Ringo Starr recorded "Blue Turning Grey Over You" in his fourth recording session at Trident Studios in London for his first solo album, Sentimental Journey.
1970:  Bob Dylan owned the #1 album in the U.K.--New Morning.
1970:  Dave Edmunds took "I Hear You Knocking" to #1 in the U.K.
1970:  The great album Abraxas by Santana moved into the #1 position, abbreviating the four-week stay by Led Zeppelin III.  

1974:  Elton John and John Lennon sang duets of "I Saw Her Standing There", "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  It was Lennon's final stage appearance. 
1979:  Ringo Starr's home in Los Angeles burned down.
1981:  "Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind & Fire was the new #1 R&B song.
1981:  Barry Manilow took over at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "The Old Songs".



1981:  The Cars had one of the fastest movers with "Shake It Up", moving from 76 to 58 on this date.








                         The Police were on a roll...

1981:  Billboard listed "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John #1 on this date, but most stations had Foreigner's "Waiting For A Girl Like You" at the top.  Hall & Oates were down with "Private Eyes", but the Police were on the move with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic".
1987:  The "Dirty Dancing" Soundtrack was still perched at #1 on the Album chart, holding off Bad by Michael Jackson.  Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen was already on its way down after just six weeks with a peak of #3.  The self-titled Whitesnake came in fourth followed by A Momentary Lapse of Reason by Pink Floyd and the new Def Leppard album Hysteria.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Lonesome Jubilee by John Cougar Mellencamp, Whitney, the second album from Whitney Houston at #8, ...Nothing Like the Sun from Sting and The Joshua Tree by U2 was at #10 after 35 weeks.

1987:  Jennifer Warnes achieved her first career #1 and Bill Medley had his first #1 in 21 years (since back when the Righteous Brothers had "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration") as together their song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" reached the top.  Belinda Carlisle moved to challenge with "Heaven Is A Place On Earth", Billy Idol's former #1 "Mony Mony" was third while Richard Marx moved up with "Should've Known Better".  The rest of the Top 10:  George Michael and the title track from Faith, Bruce Springsteen was spotted at 6 with "Brilliant Disguise", Tiffany and "I Think We're Alone Now", Sting was up to #8 with "We'll Be Together", Cutting Crew held steady with "I've Been In Love Before" and Debbie Gibson placed "Shake Your Love" at #10.
1992:  The Neil Diamond Christmas Special was televised on HBO.
1992:  The Chase by Garth Brooks was the new #1 album.
1992:  "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees was a great song but it was Michael Bolton's remake that hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for a third straight week.

1992:  Celine Dion had the fastest mover as her great song "Love Can Move Mountains" advanced from 95 to 65.

 

 

 

 

 

1992:  One of the great days in Rock Era history.  Whitney Houston moved from #12 to #1 on this date, the third-highest leap to the top of the Rock Era, for the first week at #1 with "I Will Always Love You".

1993:  Jerry Edmonton, drummer of Steppenwolf, was killed at the age of 47 in a car crash close to his home in Santa Barbara, California.
1998:  The self-titled Backstreet Boys re-entered the Top 10 on the album chart after 66 weeks.
1999:  Rage Against the Machine rose to #1 on the Album chart with The Battle of Los Angeles.
2003:  "Stand Up" by Ludacris was the new #1 song.
2004:  Bob Hardy, bassist of Franz Ferdinand, was hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Japan.  The band proceeded to play an acoustic concert at Nagoya Diamond Hall.  (Note:  some websites incorrectly spell the condition as gastro-enteritis.  It is spelled gastroenteritis.
2004:  Metallica closed out the highly successful Madly in Anger with the World Tour ($60.5 M gross) at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.  They certainly weren't mad enough to refuse the money.
2006:  In today's Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music segment, Snoop Dogg was arrested in Burbank, California after the Police Department found a firearm, marijuana and cocaine in his van.

Born This Day:

1929:  Berry Gordy, Jr., founder of Motown Records, was born in Detroit, Michigan.
1932:  Ray Perkins of the Crew-Cuts (Note:  some websites say that Perkins was born on November 24; the 'Encyclopedia of Popular Music' by Colin Larkin states otherwise--November 28, 1932.)
1936:  Roy McCurdy, drummer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, was born in Rochester, New York.
1939:  Gary Troxel of the Fleetwoods ("Come Softly To Me" and "Mr. Blue" from 1959) was born in Centralia, Washington.




1940:  Bruce Channel ("Hey Baby") was born in Jacksonville, Texas.
1940:  Glen Curtis of the Fortunes ("You've Got Your Troubles" from 1965)








1943:  Randy Newman, successful artist ("Short People" and numerous Grammy Award-winning compositions) and prolific songwriter ("Mama Told Me Not to Come" for Three Dog Night among others), was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
1943:  R.B. Greaves ("Take A Letter Maria"), nephew of Sam Cooke, was born in Georgetown, British Guyana; died September 27, 2012 in Granada Hills, California of prostate cancer.  (Note:  some websites show his place of death as Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Inglewood--'Billboard' reports it as being in Los Angeles, but 'Billboard' is wrong here--according to 'The Los Angeles Times', Greaves died in Granada Hills.)

1948:  Beeb Birtles (real name Gerard Bertelkamp), guitarist with the Little River Band, was born in Amsterdam, Holland, The Netherlands.
1958:  David Van Day of Dollar ("Shooting Star" from 1980) was born in Brighton, Sussex, England.
1962:  Matt Cameron, drummer of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, was born in San Diego, California.
1968:  Dawn Robinson of En Vogue was born in New London, Connecticut.  (Note:  some websites show her birthday as November 24--according to 'The Los Angeles Times', Robinson was born on the 28th.)
1974:  Apl.de.Ap (real name Allen Pineda Lindo, Jr.) of the Black-Eyed Peas was born in Sapangbato, Angeles City, Pampanga, Phillipines.  (Note:  some websites spell his birthplace as Sapang Bato.  Sapangbato is the name of the district in Angeles City; it is not two words.)
1979:  Chamillionaire (real name Hakeem Siriki) was born in Washington, D.C.  (Note:  many websites show his birthplace as Houston, Texas--according to our best research, Hakeem was born in D.C. and his family moved to Houston when he was four.)