Inside the Rock Era: 1/17/16

Saturday, January 23, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: January 24

1958: The Quarrymen performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, the group's first and last performance there until they changed their name to the Beatles.

1961: The Beatles officially signed a contract with manager Brian Epstein, although Epstein's signature is not on the contract. Epstein, who always had the interests of the group at heart, vowed not to sign the contract until he had obtained a record deal for the group. Epstein also provided the group with a chance to walk away from the deal if they found a better offer. Epstein immediately gave them a better stage presentation, with matching suits and bows to the audience. Epstein was to receive 25% of the group's gross earnings, far above the normal of 10%.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 23

1957: The movie Don't Knock the Rock, starring Bill Haley & the Comets and Little Richard, premiered in Australia. Haley & his group, who were touring in Australia, attended the opening. The movie had premiered in New York City on December 12.

More Glenn Frey Tributes...

‏@CoachHenleyYFB

@CoachMorita RIP Glenn Frey...even the historic @YaleBowl100 hosted Uncle Donny and the boys #PeacefulEasyFeeling 

‏@IRMA_Org

... #TheEagles #CompleteGreatestHits re-enters the Chart at No40 in response to founder member @GlennFrey premature death.

‏@4Ransomm

Jackson Browne Performs 'Take it Easy' Tribute to Glenn Frey: Watch http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2014/6851591/jackson-browne-take-it-easy-glenn-frey …

‏@CulturaSinaloa

¡Disponibles las noticias culturales del día de hoy! http://paper.li/CulturaSinaloa/1401756125?edition_id=7a9c19c0-c116-11e5-881a-0cc47a0d164b … Gracias a @CarteleraVer @ITCA_ @abc_cultura

‏@bubbleslorna

Miranda Lambert Joins Collin Raye In Moving Tribute To Glenn Frey | Country Rebel Clothing Co. https://tr.im/Pd2dl 

‏@TheTraceC

 Glenn Frey Album Sales Soar in Wake of Deaths http://www.thewrap.com/glenn-frey-david-bowie-blackstar-eagles-sales-amazon-itunes/ …

‏@JerryCrowe2

Jimmy Buffett on Glenn Frey: 'A True Friend and Inspiration' http://ln.is/www.rollingstone.com/Rih2d … via @rollingstone

‏@pauljruskin

RIP Glenn Frey, forever great

‏@_KennyRogers

I met Glenn Frey through Don Henley and was around him several times, but never felt like I knew him.  And yet you play one of his songs and you feel like you're best friends.  That's what songwriters do--they show you their inner soul through their music and Glenn certainly did that.  He was a great songwriter and obviously a great person.  I will truly miss him and his music.

‏@thompsonsquare

Still thinking about Glenn Frey. Thanks for the music, may you rest in peace. 

‏@JustinTyme55

Rest in peace, Glenn Frey. You will be so, so missed. #NowPlaying This is: Eagles by Spotify ♫ http://spoti.fi/H7qJVz 

‏@lynnerenee81

No! Bits of my musical childhood  slowly chipping away. Glenn Frey of The Eagles now joins Legendary musicians gone but not forgotten.

‏@Woodstock1969

Why Glenn Frey's passing reverberates so loudly for so many - LifeZette http://bit.ly/1TcySdb 

The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era Book

Our first book, The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*, is up to the #91 book covering "history and criticism" of the Rock Era, and the #130 book overall in Rock Music and is climbing fast. Get yours soon before we publish The Top 5000 Songs. We hope to release that follow-up in the next few months.

The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era (Paperback)

The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era (Kindle)

Thursday, January 21, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: January 22

1959: Buddy Holly left for Milwaukee to begin the Winter Dance Party tour. (Note: numerous websites say that Holly made 14 final recordings today, which cannot be true since he left early for Milwaukee, as noted above. Holly made his last recordings ( "That's What They Say", "What To Do", "Peggy Sue Got Married," "That Makes It Tough", "Crying, Waiting Hoping" (often shown incorrectly as just "Crying"), "Learning The Game", "Wait 'Til The Sun Shines Nellie", "Drown In My Own Tears", "Maria Elena" (which is mostly Buddy's wife Maria talking and the noise of the apartment), "Dearest", "Love Is Strange", "Smoky Joe's Café" "Buddy's Guitar", and "Slippin' And Slidin'") from December to early January alone with an acoustic guitar and an Ampex reel to reel tape recorder in his apartment in New York City. The first two were recorded December 3, "Peggy Sue Got Married" was recorded December 5, "That Makes It Tough" was recorded December 8, "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" was recorded December 14, and "Learning The Game" was recorded on December 17. The last eight songs were recorded sometime between January 1 and January 19, but there is no exact record, and they definitely were not recorded on December 22. The songs were later released posthumously with dubs added and are referred to as "The Apartment Tapes".)
1960: Sam Cooke signed with RCA Records. (Note: there is no definitive source that indicates the exact date Cooke signed the contract. Although some websites say it occurred on January 21, most center on January 22, which was Cooke's 29th birthday.)

1962: Bruce Channel released the single "Hey! Baby".

1963: Little Peggy March, who was just 14 years old, released the single 'I Will Follow Him".
1962: Gene Chandler made his television debut on American Bandstand. (Note: some websites show this date as January 21, which is not correct. In 1962, January 21st fell on a Sunday. 'American Bandstand' aired daily on weekday afternoons live from 1957 to 1963, then in early 1963, all five episodes were taped in advance. Chandler's debut was on Monday, January 22.)
1963: Gerry & the Pacemakers held their first recording session.

1963: The Drifters recorded "On Broadway" at Bell Sound Studios in New York City.

1964: The Yardbirds were at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.
1965: The Rolling Stones began a tour of Oceana with two shows at the Agricultural Hall in the Manufacturer's Auditorium in Sydney, with Dionne Warwick, Roy Orbison and Rolf Harris ("Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport").
1966: The Beach Boys began recording the song "Wouldn't It Be Nice" at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, California. The instrumental track, featuring the musicians from the Wrecking Crew, was recorded on this date, as 21 takes were recorded before Beach Boy Brian Wilson was satisfied. The vocals were recorded in two sessions (March 10 and April 11) at CBS's studios. (Note: some websites state that the group recorded the song on January 21, but the recording began on the 22nd, with recording completed as shown above, according to the album liner notes.)

1966: Stevie Wonder rose to #1 on the R&B chart with "Uptight (Everything's Alright)".
1966: Rubber Soul by the Beatles was the #1 album for a third week.
1966: The Supremes had another smash as "My World Is Empty Without You" rose from 78 to 46.

The Lovin' Spoonful reached the Top 10...

1966: Simon & Garfunkel scored their first #1 with a classic--"The Sound Of Silence". They topped "We Can Work It Out" by the Beatles. Gary Lewis & the Playboys were third with "She's Just My Style" while the Vogues' hit "Five O'Clock World" was fifth and the Beatles achieved another Top 5 with "Day Tripper". The rest of the Top 10: The T-Bones with "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)", Mike Douglas with the improbable hit "The Men In My Little Girl's Life", Herman's Hermits had their seventh straight Top 10 with "A Must zyo Avoid", the Rolling Stones were stuck at #9--"As Tears Go By" and the Lovin' Spoonful swooped in from #12 with "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice".
1967: The Monkees performed live for the first time at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.

1968: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition released their first single--"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)".

1968: Another great act also released the first single of their careers. Sly & the Family Stone sent their first 45 ("Dance To The Music") to radio stations.
1968: Apple Corps., the Beatles' business venture, opened its London headquarters at 95 Wigmore Street.

Look at that elevation!

1968: The Who were in concert for two shows in Sydney Stadium in Australia, backed by the Small Faces. The two groups also performed two shows in Sydney on January 23.
1968: The Supremes began a residency at the Talk of the Town nightclub in London. Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard and actor Michael Caine caught the show.
1969: The Beatles began recording for the album Let It Be. George Harrison spotted Billy Preston in the lobby and convinced him to play keyboards on the album. The Beatles knew Preston from when he played in Little Richard's band. (Note: the Beatles recorded at Twickenham Studios in London on January 2. Mono recorders were used for the purposes of the film soundtrack, but no professional multi-track recordings were made, as this session was considered to be a rehearsal for a proposed live performance.)
1971: Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the movie starring Joe Cocker, premiered in London.
1972: The Carpenters had a fast-rising song as "Hurting Each Other" rose from 76 to 38.

"Levon"--Early Elton John...

1972: The #1 album was American Pie from Don McLean, edging The Concert for Bangla Desh by George Harrison with Stanley Idaho's Carole King at #3 with her former #1 Music. Chicago At Carnegie Hall was fourth with Led Zeppelin IV and Teaser and the Firecat by Cat Stevens trailing. The rest of the Top 10: Carole King's Tapestry, still #7 after 42 weeks, Sly & the Family Stone edged back up with There's a Riot Goin' On, Elton John had his first Top 10 album with Madman Across the Water and Wings moved Wild Life to #10.
1972: Al Green retained the #1 R&B song for a third week with "Let's Stay Together".
1972: History was being made as "American Pie" by Don McLean was #1 for a second week. Badfinger rose from 14-5 with "Day After Day" while the Stylistics had another Top 10 with "You Are Everything".

1973: Gladys Knight & the Pips released the single "Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)".

1973: Roberta Flack released the single "Killing Me Softly With His Song".

     "It Keeps You Runnin'" from the Doobie Brothers...

1977: Wings Over America was the new #1 album, temporarily dethroning Hotel California by the Eagles. But the Eagles' album proved its strength in the long run (pun intended)...Songs in the Key of Life was now #3 with Boston's debut still hanging in at #4. The Best of the Doobies moved to #5 for the Doobie Brothers. The rest of the Top 10: The Soundtrack to "A Star Is Born" by Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, Greatest Hits from Linda Ronstadt, Frampton Comes Alive! was #8 after 52 weeks, the Steve Miller Band sat down at #9 with Fly Like An Eagle and Rod Stewart remained in the #10 spot with A Night on the Town.

1977: Stevie Wonder posted his 37th career hit and "I Wish" rose to #1, edging "Car Wash" from Rose Royce. Former #1 "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" captured the #3 position with "Dazz" from Brick fourth and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.'s former #1 "You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show)" fifth. The rest of the Top 10: The Sylvers with "Hot Line", the Eagles were on fire as another song reached the Top 10--"New Kid In Town", Engelbert Humperdinck had #8--"After The Lovin'", Manfred Mann was making a huge comeback, this time as Manfred Mann's Earth Band, as they moved from 19-9 with "Blinded By The Light and Mary MacGregor reached #10 with "Torn Between Two Lovers".

1979: Anne Murray released the remake of the Carpenters song "I Just Fall In Love Again".

1979: Amii Stewart released the single "Knock On Wood".

1982: Huey Lewis & the News released their breakthrough single "Do You Believe In Love".
1982: Tommy Tucker ("Hi-Heel Sneakers" from 1964) died at age 48 from carbon tetrachloride poisoning, breathing in the fumes while the floors at his home in New Jersey were being finished. (Note: numerous websites incorrectly report the death as being on January 17. It was on Friday, January 22, 1982, according to 'The New York Times'.)
1983: Men At Work had a major hit as Business As Usual was the #1 album for an 11th week. The Stray Cats couldn't top them, but they did spend a ninth week at #2 with Built for Speed.

1983: "Baby, Come To Me" by James Ingram & Patti Austin was the new #1 on the Adult chart.
1984: Barry Manilow sang the United States national anthem at Super Bowl XVIII.

1990: Taylor Dayne released the single "Love Will Lead You Back".
1993: Metallica began a tour at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.



                           Sweden's Ace of Base...

1994: Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams & Sting climbed to #1 with their collaboration--"All For Love". That sent Mariah Carey to #2 with "Hero" while Toni Braxton had another smash with "Breathe Again". Janet Jackson's "Again" and "All That She Wants" from Ace of Base were in the #4 and #5 positions, respectively. The rest of the Top 10: Michael Bolton with "Said I Loved You...But I Lied", Bryan Adams had another hit--"Please Forgive Me", that rose from 14-7, Salt-N-Pepa were at #8 with "Shoop", Tevin Campbell remained at #9 with "Can We Talk" and Celine Dion moved to #10 with "The Power Of Love".
1994: Music Box by Mariah Carey returned to #1 on the Album chart for a fourth week.

1996: Mary J. Blige released the single "Not Gon' Cry".

2000: Savage Garden rose to #1 with the smash "I Knew I Loved You".
2001: Enigma, the movie about code-breaking in World War II produced by Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
2004: Agnetha Faltskog of ABBA signed a contract with Warner Music Scandinavia to release her first solo album, My Coloring Book, in 17 years.
2004: Jennifer Lopez and actor Ben Affleck called off their engagement.
2005: Keane, Snow Patrol, Goldie Lookin' Chain and the Manic Street Preachers performed at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales to raise money for tsunami relief.

Born This Day:

1931: Sam Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi; died December 11, 1964 when he was shot by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles (now called the Star Motel)who claimed that Cooke attacked her while looking for the woman that he brought with her to the motel. (Note: some websites erroneously report that Cooke died on December 10. According to our best research, Cooke and Lisa Boyer checked into the motel at 1:35 a.m. on December 11, and Cooke died around 3 a.m.; the December 11 date is confirmed by 'The Los Angeles Times' and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)
1940: Addie Harris of the Shirelles was born in Passaic, New Jersey; died June 10, 1982 of a heart attack while performing at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

1949: Steve Perry, elite lead singer of Journey and a solo artist, was born in Hanford, California.
1959: Nigel Pegrum, drummer of Small Faces and Uriah Heep, was born in North Wales.

1952: Teddy Gentry of Alabama was born in Fort Payne, Alabama.
1960: Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS, was born in Sydney, Australia; found dead in his hotel suite in Sydney on November 22, 1997 at age 37, after apparently hanging himself.
1965: Steve Adler (real name Michael Coletti), drummer with Guns N' Roses, was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
1965: DJ Jazzy Jeff was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1980: Benjamin Moody, singer-songwriter and guitarist of Evanescence and also a producer, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: January 21

1956: It was week number three at #1 on the R&B chart for "The Great Pretender" from the Platters. And it wasn't even close to done.

1957: Elvis Presley began filming his second movie Loving You.

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: "Californication" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Great song here that only peaked at #29...

"Californication"

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Written by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Psychic spies from China
Try to steal your mind's elation
Little girls from Sweden
Dream of silver screen quotations
And if you want these kind of dreams
It's Californication

It's the edge of the world
And all of western civilization
The sun may rise in the East
At least it settles in the final location
It's understood that Hollywood
Sells Californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Celebrity skin is this your chin
Or is that war your waging

[Chorus:]
First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication

Marry me girl be my fairy to the world
Be my very own constellation
A teenage bride with a baby inside
Getting high on information
And buy me a star on the boulevard
It's Californication

Space may be the final frontier
But it's made in a Hollywood basement
Cobain can you hear the spheres
Singing songs off station to station
And Alderon's not far away
It's Californication

Born and raised by those who praise
Control of population everybody's been there and
I don't mean on vacation

[Chorus:]
First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication

Destruction leads to a very rough road
But it also breeds creation
And earthquakes are to a girl's guitar
They're just another good vibration
And tidal waves couldn't save the world
From Californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Sicker than the rest
There is no test
But this is what you're craving

[Chorus:]
First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: January 20

1953: Elvis Presley registered for the Selective Service System in the United States. (Note: numerous websites incorrectly report that Elvis received orders to report to military duty on January 20, 1958. The only event that the date of January 20 refers to is the date Elvis registered for the draft, shortly after his 18th birthday. On December 20, 1957, Elvis received his official draft notice. He was able to get a deferment, then officially was inducted on March 24, 1958. Some websites claim he received his draft notice on December 8, but it was the 20th, according to 'History.com' and the books 'Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends Who Changed Music Forever' by Scott Schinder and Andy Schwartz and Elvis for Kids: A Biography of Elvis Presley Just for Kids!' by Sam Rogers.

Tributes Continue To Flow In for Glenn Frey

‏@AAarena

RIP Glenn Frey. Thank you for gracing our stage with your talent. You will be truly missed. 

‏@chicagotheband

RIP Friend #GlennFrey 

‏@ChuckGarfien

Springsteen sings "Take it Easy" for Glenn Frey. 

‏@ShaniaTwain

I am in shock over the loss of Glenn Frey.  So sad to lose him.

124 retweets617 likes

‏@BruceyWillis

"You can check out anytime you like,but you can never leave" RIP the genius Glenn Frey.

‏@sundancefest

Glenn Frey was a friend of #Sundance and our fans. He and his talent will be sorely missed. 

‏@ronanofficial

So sad to hear the news of Glenn Frey. Many days and nights as a kid dancing around to perfect music will never be forgotten. Rest Peace. X

‏@Jason_Aldean

sad to hear of the passing of Glenn Frey. A true music icon who influenced many of us. You will be missed. 

‏@billyraycyrus

Glenn Frey helped kick the door between Country Music and Rock 'n' Roll wide open. Such a tremendous loss... 

‏@john5guitarist

I am so sad to hear that #GlennFrey has passed away, #TheEagles are one of my favorite bands of all time, he will be missed beyond belief.

48 retweets146 likes

‏@oreillyfactor

Glenn Frey: a musical genius. His songs hold up 30 years after he wrote them #RIP. Our prayers are with his family. –BO’R

‏@deanjnorris

#RIPGlenn  The music I came of age to
Why Glenn Frey's death shakes us @CNN http://cnn.it/1Ry4DxU 

‏@AZRogerNaylor

We lost a piece of our youth when Glenn Frey passed. RIP, amigo. Or better yet, Take it Easy. #Arizona 

‏@canaansmith

So sad to hear of Glenn Frey's passing. Thanks for all the songs and the inspiration man! Prayers going out to all of the family.

‏@PabloWeather

Hey #GlennFrey thanks for some of the best songs ever 

‏@NSYNC

#RIP @glennfrey one of the great storytellers/song writers! You will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

‏@theTroubadour

We'll never forget you, Glenn Frey. 

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