This Date in Rock Music History: December 20

1957: Elvis Presley received his draft notice from the United States Army.
1958:  John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison appeared as The Quarrymen at the wedding reception of Harrison's older brother Harry.  The reception was at the Harrison family home at 25 Upton Green, Speke, Liverpool.
1962: The Osmond Brothers made their television debut on The Andy Williams Show on NBC.

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: Vertical Horizon's "You're A God"

The title song to Vertical Horizon's album Everything You Want hit #1, but the follow up got stuck at #23.  If you're a fan of the great movie Bruce Almighty with Jim Carey and Morgan Freeman, you're familiar with it:

"You're A God" 

Vertical Horizon

Lyrics and Music by Matt Scannell 

I've got to be honest
I think you know
We're covered in lies and that's OK
There's somewhere beyond this I know
But I hope I can find the words to say

Never again no
No never again

[Chorus]
'Cause you're a god
And I am not
And I just thought
That you would know
You're a god
And I am not
And I just thought
I'd let you go

But I've been unable
To put you down
I'm still learning things I ought to know by now
It's under the table so
I need something more to show somehow

Never again no
No never again

[Chorus]

I've got to be honest
I think you know
We're covered in lies and that's OK
There's somewhere beyond this I know
But I hope I can find the words to say
Never again no
No never again

[Chorus]

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 19

Six days away, here are six more great ones.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

by Amy Grant

Although we associate this song with Andy Williams, Amy Grant did her own version on the album The Christmas Collection and it has been popular in its own right.  Great orchestral accompaniment.

This Date in Rock Music History: December 19

1955:  Carl Perkins recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Note:  several websites inaccurately report this date as November 19.  According to 'The Sun Sentinel' newspaper as well as the books 'Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings' by Steve Sullivan and 'The Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll' by Richard Havers and Richard Evans, as well as other reputable sources, Perkins recorded his signature song on December 19.)
1960:  Frank Sinatra recorded for the first time on the record company he had just started, Reprise Records.

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 18

Here are six more of The Best 150* as we are just one week away!

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

by Perry Como

One of the best Christmas artists ever (he has six among The Top 150*), here is Perry Como's version of the song that gets us all thinking about the season.  It was recorded September 18, 1951 in New York City and made it to #12 that year.  Como's Christmas television specials ranked right up there with those of Bing Crosby and Andy Williams as being the epitome of holiday spirit.  

This Date in Rock Music History: December 18

1957:  Tom & Jerry released the first single of their career, called "Hey, Schoolgirl".  We now know them as Simon & Garfunkel.  (Note:  some websites mistakenly show the name of the song as "Hey School Girl"; the correct title is "Hey, Schoolgirl", as shown on the 45 above.)

Thriller Tops 30 Million

Michael Jackson's Thriller continues to set records, as the #1-selling album in history became the first album in history to top 30 million units in the United States, the Recording Industry Association (RIAA) announced today.  Thriller has sold over 100 million worldwide and Jackson has gone over 1 billion in sales.

“RIAA has awarded Gold & Platinum records on behalf of the music business for nearly 60 years, but this is the first time an artist has crossed the 30X multi-Platinum plateau,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO, RIAA. “We are honored to celebrate the unique status of Thriller in Gold & Platinum history. What an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller’s enduring spot in our hearts and musical history.”

Thriller helped Jackson win a record-setting eight Grammys and spent a record 37 weeks at #1 on the Album chart in the U.S. and went to #1 in nearly every country in the world.  The masterpiece topped 20 million on October 30, 2014.  

Although the new sales plateau was too late to affect The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*, as presented on Inside The Rock Era and subsequently released in book form (630 pages, 8 1/2 x 11), the additional sales of the album will be factored in in the book The Top 5000 Songs of the Rock Era*, due out next year.

One Direction Stars Lead Forbes List of Highest-Paid Celebrities Under 30

Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan of One Direction, who are all 23 or younger,  top the annual Forbes list of highest-paid celebrities under 30.  The group has made $130 million in earnings in 2015.


The group scored big with a world tour and the release of the album Made in the A.M.

Zayn Malik left the group earlier this year, and the remaining four members say they want to take an extended break next year.  


Style's ex, Taylor Swift, 26, also did well with $80 million, combining sales of her 1989 album, world tour and numerous endorsement deals.

Lady Gaga, 29, finished the year with $59 million, while 24-year-old Ed Sheeran was fourth with $57 million.

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 17

Today's six songs will put us over 100 of The Best Christmas Songs of All-Time* that we have presented thus far since December 1.  I've listened to thousands of Christmas songs over the last 40 years and these are the ones that consistently rate as the most popular.  Unlike most lists of this type, we actually let you listen to the songs so you can decide on your personal favorites.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

by the Carpenters

There must be something about the letter "C" in Christmas.  I say that because the four artists who have the most songs in The Top 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time* all start with the letter "C"; a very interesting factoid.  The Ray Conniff Singers have the most with 9, then it's the Carpenters and Bing Crosby with 7 each and Perry Como with 6.  That's 29 out of 150 whose artists begin with "C", including this one from the Carpenters.

This Date in Rock Music History: December 17

1955:  Carl Perkins wrote "Blue Suede Shoes".
1957:  Sam Cooke ruled over the R&B chart for a fourth week with "You Send Me".

This Date in Rock Music History: December 16

1957:  For the fourth week, Sam Cooke sat atop the R&B chart with "You Send Me".

1959:  Mark Dinning released the single "Teen Angel".

1965:  The Beatles appeared in the tribute The Music of Lennon-McCartney on BBC-TV, along with Peter & Gordon, Lulu, Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black, Marianne Faithfull, Esther Phillips and Peter Sellers.

1965:  "We Can Work It Out" and "Day Tripper", released as a double-A side 45, both made #1 in the U.K. on this date.

1966:  The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their first single "Hey Joe" in the U.K.

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 16

Inside the Rock Era is presenting six new songs each day.  All of them make up The Best 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.

 
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

by Ella Fitzgerald

Fitzerald recorded her version of the song first introduced by Judy Garland in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis.

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: "Learn To Fly" by the Foo Fighters

When this song peaked at #19, it ensured inclusion in Inside The Rock Era's popular feature, The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*:

 

"Learn To Fly"

Foo Fighters 

Written by Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Taylor Hawkins

Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me get things right

Hook me up a new revolution
'Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing and watched the last one die

Now I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of lying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly high.

I think I'm done nursing the patience
It can wait one night
I'd give it all away if you give me one last try

We'll live happily ever trapped if you just save my life
Run and tell the angels that everything's alright...

I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly high.
Make my way back home when I learn to...

...fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
Fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own

I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home when I learn to...

...looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly high.
Make my way back home when I learn to fly.
Make my way back home when I learn to... 

Luigi Creatore Has Died

Luigi Creatore (left), part of the songwriting team Hugo & Luigi with cousin Hugo Peretti ("Can't Help Falling In Love" for Elvis Presley and English lyrics for the Tokens classic "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", among many others), producer for Perry Como, Sam Cooke ("Chain Gang", Twistin' The Night Away and "Wonderful World"), Little Peggy March ("I Will Follow Him"), Van McCoy ("The Hustle") and Jimmie Rodgers ("Honeycomb" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"), among others, and co-owner of Roulette Records and Avco Records, died December 13, 2015 from complications of pneumonia in Boca Raton, Florida at age 93. 

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 15

We've listened to thousands of Christmas songs over the years, and when you hear a 24-hour Christmas channel or satellite television channel you know there is much filler that you'd really rather not bother with.  Instead, choose the cream of the crop.  We've done the research so you can listen to only the best.  Choose the ones that you particularly like and they make great background music for Christmas parties or on Christmas Day itself.  Our family likes to sit by the Christmas tree listening to these and talking about the songs and why they are so great, sharing memories, and spending quality time together.

Here are six more of The Top 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.

This Date in Rock Music History: December 15

1956:  Elvis Presley performed on the Louisiana Hayride, broadcast live on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana, for the final time after 50 appearances.

 1956:  Fats Domino had one of the biggest R&B songs of all-time with "Blueberry Hill", #1 for a ninth straight week.
1958:  A new soul artist debuted on the chart with "Try Me"; it was the first single by James Brown.
1958:  "Lonely Teardrops" by Jackie Wilson took over at #1 on the R&B chart.

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 14

We are a little more than halfway in our Christmas spectacular in 2011--The Best 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Here are six more great ones:

"Christmas Eve Sarajevo" 

by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Here we have the magical group Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which has one of the best light shows you will ever see...anywhere.  This song is a medley of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" that was first released by the group Savatage as "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)".  TSO was a side project of several of the members of Savatage.  The subject of the medley has an interesting story as Paul O'Neill explained in Christianity Today.com:

This Date in Rock Music History: December 14

1956:  Bill Haley starred in the movie Don't Knock the Rock which opened in theaters (it had premiered December 12 in New York City.)
1959:  The Kingston Trio took over at #1 on the Album chart with Here We Go Again!".

1962:  Bill Wyman made his live debut with the Rollin' Stones (as they were known back then) at the Ricky Tick Club in the Star and Garter Hotel in Windsor, England.

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 13

"The 12 Days of Christmas"

by the Ray Conniff Singers

Anyone who does this song needs to make it real and jubilant because otherwise, interest wanes fast.  Ray Conniff & Singers are one of a select few that have made this song popular.  There is so much vocal talent in this group and they sing it like they want to.