This Date in Rock Music History: January 15

1955:  The Penguins had the first new #1 R&B song of the Rock Era--"Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)".
1957:  Elvis Presley recorded "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear".  (Note:  some websites report that Elvis record this classic song on January 24--this is categorically wrong.  The sessions for the 'Loving You' soundtrack album were recorded between January 15 and January 18.  According to the official Graceland website, Presley recorded "Teddy Bear" on January 15.)
1958:  Elvis Presley recorded "Hard Headed Woman".
1958:  The Everly Brothers made their debut on British television with the rebroadcast of the U.S. show The Perry Como Show. 
1961:  The Supremes signed a recording contract with Motown Records.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 14

1955:  Alan Freed's New York Rock & Roll Ball, featuring the Drifters, Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner and the Moonglows, kicked off at Saint Nicholas Arena in Harlem.

            Little Richard from the Alan Freed movie 'Don't Rock the Boat'...

1956:  Listeners became aware of a new talent who debuted on the chart on this date with his first single--"Tutti Frutti".  And Little Richard's career was born.
1960:  Elvis Presley was promoted to Sergeant in the United States Army.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 13

1962:  Bob Dylan performed at the San Remo Coffee House in Schenectady, New York.

1962:  Cliff Richard topped the U.K. Album chart with The Young Ones.
1962:  "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley moved to #1 on the Easy Listening chart.

1962:  "The Twist", which had reached #1 in 1960 for Chubby Checker, had found new popularity and on this date, became the only song in the history of the Rock Era to hit #1...twice.  Chubby toppled the classic "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens.
1963:  The Beatles recorded an appearance in Birmingham, England at the Alpha Television Studios, performing "Please Please Me" for Thank Your Lucky Stars to be broadcast on ABC (Associated British Corporation) January 19.
1963:  Bob Dylan performed in the BBC radio play The Madhouse of Castle Street.  (Note:  many websites, including 'Billboard', incorrectly list the date of the show as January 12.  The play was broadcast as part of BBC's "Sunday Night Play"--in 1963, Sunday fell on January 13, not January 12.)

1967:  Jimi Hendrix performed at the Bag O'Nails club in London.  Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr both went to see the show.

1968:  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles reached #1 on the R&B chart with "I Second That Emotion".








                 'Inside the Rock Era' shakes your memory with the Lemon Pipers...

1968:  The Beatles remained at the top spot with "Hello Goodbye", #1 for a third week.  In just four years, the group had spent 40 weeks at #1 with 15 #1 songs.  John Fred & His Playboy Band made their move with "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)".  The Monkees' former #1 smash "Daydream Believer" was third, followed by Twin Falls, Idaho's Gary Puckett & the Union Gap with "Woman, Woman" and Gladys Knight & the Pips with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".  The rest of the Top 10:  Aretha Franklin's "Chain Of Fools", the American Breed moved to #7 with "Bend Me, Shape Me", Smokey Robinson & the Miracles slid to #8 with "I Second That Emotion", the Lemon Pipers had the #9 song with "Green Tambourine" and Joe Tex was at #10 "Skinny Legs And All".
1969:  Elvis Presley returned to the Memphis, Tennessee American Sound Studios and recorded "Suspicious Minds".
1973:  Eric Clapton performed at Rainbow Theatre in London in a show organized by friend Pete Townshend to help Clapton shake alcoholism and heroin.  The live album Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert was later released.
1973:  Carly Simon had the new #1 album with No Secrets as the long-running #1 Seventh Sojourn by the Moody Blues was now second.  Stanley, Idaho's Carole King dropped to 3 with Rhymes & Reasons while One Man Dog by James Taylor came in fourth.
1973:  Carole King rose to #1 on the Adult chart with "Been To Canaan".


1973:  Elton John had his fourth Top 10 song with "Crocodile Rock", which moved from 13-9.
1978:  The Police began recording their debut album Outlandos d'Amour at Surrey Sound Studios in London.
1979:  The Y.M.C.A. filed a lawsuit against the Village People for their song of the same name and the implications that men go to the recreational facilities so they can play with all the young men.
1979:  Donny Hathaway died at the age of 33 after falling 15 floors from his hotel room at the Essex in New York City.  His death was ruled a suicide.






1979:  Earth, Wind & Fire had the #1 R&B song--"September".  
1979:  Al Stewart wrapped up 10 weeks at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Time Passages".









1979:  The Bee Gees ruled again with "Too Much Heaven", but former #1 "Le Freak" by Chic was making another bid for the top.  Billy Joel sat at #3 with "My Life" while Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond's former #1 "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" was fourth.  Toto's first hit "Hold The Line" moved nicely up to #5. 
1980:  The Beach Boys, Jefferson Starship and Grateful Dead played a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea.

1986:  Janet Jackson released the single "What Have You Done For Me Lately".
1986:  Heart went from 1980-1985 without a Top 10 but they released the single "These Dreams" in the hopes of scoring their third straight in one of the great comebacks of the Rock Era.  (Note:  some websites erroneously report the date of release as January 18.  The song first charted on January 18.  It is physically impossible for a song to be released to radio stations, added to playlists, reported to the trade papers, and printed by the trade papers for publication all in the same day.)
1990:  "Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson moved into the #1 position on the R&B chart.







                Bolton's remake of Laura Branigan's hit...

1990:  Phil Collins remained #1 well into the New Year with a fourth week at the top for "Another Day In Paradise".  "Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson continued to be just off the pace while Technotronic's "Pump Up The Jam" was third.  Michael Bolton moved up with "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You" and the former #1 "Don't Know Much" from Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville was fifth.  The rest of the Top 10:  "Everything" from Jody Watley, New Kids on the Block continued to be satisfied with #7 with "This One's For The Children", Cher held on to 8 with "Just Like Jesse James", Taylor Dayne fell to #9 with "Every Beat of My Heart" and Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner, had a Top 10 solo hit with "Just Between You And Me".
1993:  The musical ABBA:  The True Story opened in Stockholm.
1996:  Daydream by Mariah Carey was the top album for a sixth week.



                 
                         Everything But the Girl..

1996:  Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men were a dominant #1 for a seventh week with "One Sweet Day".  Counting her solo #1 "Fantasy", Carey had been at #1 for 16 out of the last 17 weeks.  Everything But the Girl finally landed in the Top 10 after 23 weeks of release with "Missing".
2000:  In today's episode of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, Puff Daddy was arrested and charged with weapon possession after he ran away from a nightclub shooting in December.







2000:  Christina Aguilera had the #1 song--"What A Girl Wants".
2003:  Pete Townshend, guitarist of the Who, was arrested on child porn offenses.

2004:  Daniel Bedingfield ("If You're Not The One") was released from the hospital in New Zealand where he was recovering from a neck injury suffered in a New Year's Eve car accident.

2004:  The National Football League denied a request from Bono's U2 to perform "An American Prayer" with Jennifer Lopez during the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.  Bono had hoped to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa with the performance.  The NFL's answer:  "We don't believe it's appropriate to focus on a single issue."






2005:  Ricky Martin toured the island of Phuket off of Thailand that had been struck by a tsunami.  Martin was there to draw attention to child slave gangs preying on children left orphaned by the disaster.  Losers.
2005:  A report showed that more songs had been written about Elvis Presley (220), including Paul Simon's "Graceland" and "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits, than about any other artist.
2006:  In today's version of Inmates Run Rap Music, Juvenile was the arrestee in Ocala, Florida for failing to pay child support.  Loser.
2009:  "Little" Jimmy Dickens ("May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" from 1965) had brain surgery to repair a subdural hematoma.

              Rest in Peace, Teddy.  You're 100 times the artist that any rapper is.

2010:  Teddy Pendergrass died in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania after a difficult recovery from colon cancer surgery at age 59.  Teddy had been a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, since a car accident in Philadelphia in 1982. 

Born This Day:
1930:  Bobby Lester, lead singer of the Moonglows, was born in Louisville, Kentucky; died of lung cancer October 15, 1980 in his hometown.
1932:  Carl Dobkins, Jr. ("My Heart Is An Open Book" from 1959) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1942:  Jinx Dawson, lead singer of Coven, who recorded a version of "One Tin Soldier", was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.

1947:  Chris Thomas, producer of such great albums as Kick for INXS and the Pretenders' debut album, was born in Brentford, Middlesex, England.
1954:  Trevor Rabin of Yes was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
1955:  Fred White, drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire, was born in Chicago, Illinois.
1957:  Don Snow, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist of Squeeze ("Tempted") was born in Nairobi, Kenya.
1961:  Suggs (real name Graham MacPherson), lead singer of Madness ("Our House"), was born in Hastings, England.
1970:  Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine was born in Long Beach, California.

Tommy Allsup Has Died

Tommy Allsup (above, right, with Buddy Holly), who worked with Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and the Ventures died yesterday at the age of 85 in Springfield, Missouri after complications from hernia surgery.  Allsup was touring with Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson when he lost a coin toss with Valens for a seat on the plane that crashed on February 3, 1959, killing Holly, Valens and Richardson.

Allsup played guitar on Holly's "It's So Easy", "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers, "Dead Man's Curve" by Jan & Dean, and "Lucille" by the Everly Brothers, among others.

Discography: Jackson 5 (Jacksons)

The Jackson 5 began a red-hot streak in 1969 and continued until younger brother Michael officially began his solo career in 1979.  The brothers went forward after losing their star lead singer, and, after leaving Motown Records, became known as the Jacksons.  They even got him back briefly in 1984.  Here is the complete Discography* from the Jackson 5:

1969:  Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (#5, #10 Canada)
1970:  ABC (#4, #22 Canada)
           Third Album (#4, #9 Canada)
           Jackson 5 Christmas Album (#45 Canada)
1971:  Maybe Tomorrow (#11, #16 Canada)
           Goin' Back to Indiana Soundtrack (#16, #24 Canada)
1972:  Lookin' Through the Windows (#7, #16 Canada)
1973:  Skywriter (#44, #60 Canada)
           Get It Together (#100)

1974:  Dancing Machine (#16, #12 Canada)
1975:  Moving Violation (#36)
1976:  The Jacksons (#36, #4 Canada)
1977:  Goin' Places (#63)
1978:  Destiny (#11, #3 Canada, #5 Australia)
1980:  Triumph (#10, #7 Canada, #3 Australia)
1984:  Victory (#4, #1 Canada #2 Australia)
1989:  2300 Jackson Street (#59, #78 Canada, #81 Australia)
1992:  The Jacksons:  An American Dream Soundtrack

Live Albums:
1973:  The Jackson 5 in Japan
1981:  The Jacksons Live! (#30, #2 Australia)
2010:  Live at the Forum

Compilations:

1971:  Greatest Hits (#12, #40 Canada)
1976:  Anthology
           Joyful Jukebox Music
1979:  Boogie
1983:  18 Greatest Hits
1993:  Children of the Light
1995:  Soulsation!
           Jackson 5:  The Ultimate Collection
1997:  The Best of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5ive (sic) - The Motown Years
1999:  20th Century Masters - The Millenium Collection:  The Best of the Jackson 5 (#114)
           The Steeltown Sessions
2004:  The Essential Jacksons
           The Very Best of the Jacksons
           The Jacksons Story
2005:  Gold
2008:  Classic Jackson 5
2009:  Can You Feel It!  The Jacksons Collection    
            I Want You Back!  Unreleased Masters
           Ultimate Christmas Collection
2010:  J is for Jackson 5
2012:  Come and Get It:  The Rare Pearls

Air Supply, Pink, Paula Abdul and Johnny Rivers

Johnny Rivers has been ranked before in The Top 100 Artists of the Rock Era*.  He and Air Supply, Pink and Paula Abdul are all near the top of the rankings for the Rock Era, but just miss the elite 100.

The Top 100 Artists of the Rock Era* kicks off (sorry) the day after the Super Bowl--Monday, February 6 on Inside The Rock Era!

This Date in Rock Music History: January 12

1957:  Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up" at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California.

1959:  Here's inspiration for you aspiring business owners.  On this date, Berry Gordy borrowed $800 to begin his own record label, Tamla Records, the beginning of the empire that has become known as Motown Records.
1959:  Jackie Wilson continued to reign over the R&B chart for a fifth week with "Lonely Teardrops".
1959:  "The Chipmunk Song" from the Chipmunks was #1 for a fourth straight week.  The Platters, amazingly enough, remained at #2 for the fourth week and were still in position to make a move to the top with "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".  "My Happiness" from Connie Francis was third, followed by "Gotta' Travel On" from Billy Grammer and the Teddy Bears' big hit "To Know Him Is To Love Him".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Whole Lotta' Loving" from Fats Domino, Clyde McPhatter with "A Lover's Question", Elvis Presley and "One Night", the Everly Brothers dropped to #9 with "Problems" and Ricky Nelson had song #10 with "Lonesome Town".
1963:  Ray Charles logged a third week at #1 on the R&B chart with "You Are My Sunshine".

This Date in Rock Music History: January 11

1960:  Bill Black's Combo took over at #1 on the R&B chart with "Smokie - Part 2".

1961:  Connie Francis released the single "Where the Boys Are".

This Date in Rock Music History: January 10

1956:  It was indeed a magical day in the Rock Era as Elvis Presley recorded "Heartbreak Hotel" at the Methodist television, radio & TV studios in Nashville, Tennessee in his first session since he signed with RCA Victor. 
1958:  The Quarrymen (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Eric Griffiths, Colin Hanton and Len Garry) played at the New Clubmoor Hall in Norris Green, Liverpool, England.

1958:  Jerry Lee Lewis held down the #1 spot in the U.K. with "Great Balls Of Fire".

Supertramp, Ray Charles and Jefferson Airplane/Starship

We're cluing you in on some of the top artists just outside of The Top 100 of the Rock Era* as we prepare for this amazing production.

It all begins February 7.

Buddy Bregman Has Died

Buddy Bregman, composer, arranger and producer for the artists just prior to and just after the start of the Rock Era, has died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 86.

Bregman worked with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Paul Anka, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr., Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Eddie Fisher, Buddy Rich, Judy Garland and many others.

This Date in Rock Music History: January 9

1961:  Comedian Bob Newhart reached #1 on the Album chart with The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!

1961:  Jerry Butler posted a seventh week at the top of the R&B chart with "He Will Break Your Heart".