Music News Street Dates Media Analysis (column): The Forest
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Triplearadio.com Artist Birthdays/This Day In Music:
8/1: ADAM DURITZ (Counting Crows), JERRY GARCIA (Grateful Dead), ROBERT CRAY, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOT, MICHAEL PENN
8/2: JIM CAPALDI (Traffic), GARTH HUDSON (The Band)
8/3: SHIRLEY MANSON (Garbage), ED ROLAND (Collective Soul), TONY BENNETT
8/4: LOUIS ARMSTRONG, KLAUS SCHULZE (Tangerine Dream)
8/5: RICK DERRINGER, PAT SMEAR (Foo Fighters, Nirvana)
8/6: ISAAC HAYES, ELLIOT SMITH, PAT McDONALD (Timbuk 3), ANDY WARHOL
8/7: RAUL MALO (The Mavericks), ROBERT RANDOLPH, KRISTIN HERSH (Throwing Muses)
8/8: THE EDGE (U2)
8/9: BENJAMIN ORR (The Cars)
8/10: IAN ANDERSON (Jethro Tull), LEO FENDER
8/11: JOE JACKSON, CHARLIE SEXTON, RICHIE RAMONE (The Ramones)
8/12: MARK KNOPFLER (Dire Straits), PAT METHENEY, BUCK OWENS
8/13: DAN FOGELBERG
8/14: DAVID CROSBY (CPR/CSNY)
8/15: JIMMY WEBB, OSCAR PETERSON
8/16: MADONNA, TIM FARRIS (INXS), ERIC BIBB, VANESSA CARLTON
8/17: MARIA McKEE (Lone Justice), LUTHER ALLISON, BELINDA CARLISLE (Go-Go's), JIMMY WITHERSPOON, ERIC JOHNSON
8/18: EVERLAST
8/19: GINGER BAKER (Cream), JOHNNY NASH
8/20: ROBERT PLANT, JOHN HIATT, ISAAC HAYES, DOUG FIEGER (The Knack), PHIL LYNOTT (Thin Lizzy)
8/21: JOE STRUMMER (The Clash), JACKIE DeSHANNON, KENNY ROGERS, COUNT BASIE
8/22: TORI AMOS, JOHN LEE HOOKER, ROLAND ORZABAL (Tears For Fears), LAYNE STALEY (Alice In Chains), VERNON REID (Living Colour)
8/23: KEITH MOON (The Who)
8/24: JIM CAPALDI (Traffic), JOHN CIPOLLINA (Quicksilver Messenger Service), ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP
8/25: ELVIS COSTELLO, JEFF TWEEDY (Wilco), WILLY DeVILLE (Mink DeVille), GENE SIMMONDS (Kiss), WAYNE SHORTER (Weather Report)
8/26: BRANFORD MARSALIS, SHIRLEY MANSON (Garbage)
8/27: J.D. CROWE, TIM BOGERT (Vanilla Fudge), SIMON KIRKE (Free/Bad Company), ALEX LIFESON (Rush), GLEN MATLOCK (Sex Pistols)
8/28: MAX COLLINS (Eve 6)
8/29: MICHAEL JACKSON, ME'SHELL NDEGÉOCELLO, CHARLIE "BYRD" PARKER, DINAH WASHINGTON, STERLING MORRISON (Velvet Underground)
8/30: JOHN PHILLIPS (Mamas & The Papas), KITTY WELLS
8/31: VAN MORRISON, GLEN TILBROOK (Squeeze), GINA SCHOCK (The Go-Go's), RICK ROBERTS (The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall)
9/1: BARRY GIBB (Bee Gees), ARCHIE BELL (Archie Bell and The Drells)
9/2: STEVE PORCARO (Toto), BOBBY PURIFY (James & Bobby Purify)
9/3: AL JARDINE (Beach Boys), FREDDIE KING, STEVE JONES (Sex Pistols), MEMPHIS SLIM
9/4: MARTIN CHAMBERS (Pretenders), DANNY GATTON
9/5: FREDDIE MERCURY (Queen), LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, AL STEWART, JOHN STEWART, BUDDY MILES, DWEEZIL ZAPPA
9/6: RODGER WATERS (Pink Floyd), DELORES O'RIORDAN (The Cranberries), BUDDY MILLER, NINA PERSSON (The Cardigans), JIMMY REED
9/7: BUDDY HOLLY, CHRISSIE HYNDE (Pretenders), BENMONT TENCH (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), SONNY ROLLINS, LITTLE MILTON
9/8: AIMEE MANN, BEN ORR (The Cars), PATSY CLINE, JIMMIE RODGERS, RON "PIGPEN" McKERNAN (Grateful Dead), SAL VALENTINO (Stoneground, Beau Brummels)
9/9: MACY GRAY, OTIS REDDING, DAVE STEWART (Eurythmics), BILLY PRESTON
9/10: DAVE LOWRY (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven), MILES ZUNIGA (Fastball), ROSIE FLORES, JOE PERRY (Aerosmith), SIOBHAN FAHEY (Bananarama), JOSÉ FELICIANO, DANNY HUTTON (Three Dog Night)
9/11: MOBY, MICKEY HART (Grateful Dead), LEO KOTKE, VICTOR WOOTEN (Bela Fleck), HARRY CONNICK JR., RICHARD ASHCROFT (The Verve), JOHN MARTYN, TOMMY SHAW (Styx)
9/12: BEN FOLDS, NEIL PERT (Rush), MARIA MULDAUR, GEORGE JONES
9/13: FIONA APPLE, CHARLES BROWN, DON WAS, BILL MONROE, DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS (Blood, Sweat & Tears), STEPHEN KILBEY (The Church), ZAK STARKEY (The Who)
9/14: STEVE BERLIN (Los Lobos), PAUL KOSSOFF (Free)
9/15: CANNONBALL ADDERLY, SNOOKY PRYOR
9/16: B.B. KING, KENNEY JONES (The Faces, The Who), RON BLAIR (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), RICHARD MARX
9/17: HANK WILLIAMS, FEE WAYBILL (The Tubes), SCOTT BLACK (Elvis), KEN KESEY
9/18: DEE DEE RAMONE (The Ramones), JOANNE CATHERALL (Human League)
9/19: DANIEL LANOIS, DAVID BROMBERG, LOL CREME (10cc), MAMA CASS ELLIOT (The Mamas and The Papas), BILL MEDLEY (The Righteous Brothers)
9/20: "JELLY ROLL" MORTON, KING SUNNY ADE
9/21: LIAM GALLAGHER (Oasis), LEONARD COHEN, DON FELDER (Eagles)
9/22: JOAN JETT (The Blackhearts, The Runaways), NICK CAVE (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds), JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO (Concrete Blonde)
9/23: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ANI DiFRANCO, RAY CHARLES, JOHN COLTRANE, LES McCANN, ROY BUCHANAN
9/24: LINDA McCARTNEY (Wings)
9/25: IAN TYSON (Ian And Sylvia)
9/26: BRYAN FERRY (Roxy Music), CESAR ROSAS (Los Lobos), SHANNON HOON (Blind Melon), CARLENE CARTER, CRAIG CHAQUICO (Jefferson Starship), MARTY ROBBINS
9/27: STEPHAN JENKINS (Third Eye Blind), ROBBIE SHAKESPEARE (Sly And Robbie), CARRIE BROWNSTEIN (Sleater-Kinney), MEATLOAF, DON NIX, RANDY BACHMAN (Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
9/28: BEN E. KING, KOKO TAYLOR, A.J. CROCE, C.J. CHENIER
9/29: JERRY LEE LEWIS, LES CLAYPOOL (Primus, Frog Brigade), JEAN-LUC PONTY, MARK FARNER (Grand Funk Railroad)
9/30: TREY ANASTASIO (Phish), MARC BOLAN (T Rex), BASIA, Z.Z. HILL, MIKE HARRISON (Spooky Tooth), BUDDY RICH
10/1: YOUSSOU N'DOUR, KEVIN GRIFFIN (Better Than Ezra), DONNY HATHAWAY, ALBERT COLLINS, SCOTT McKENZIE
10/2: STING, DAMON GOUGH (Badly Drawn Boy), GILLIAN WELCH, DON McLEAN, KELLY WILLIS, MIKE RUTHERFORD (Genesis), JO-EL SONNIER, PHILIP OAKEY (Human League)
10/3: STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, INDIA.ARIE, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM (Fleetwood Mac), GWEN STEFANI (No Doubt), KEB' MO', DEBORAH COLEMAN, EDDIE COCHRAN, CHUBBY CHECKER
10/4: BARBARA K. MacDONALD (Timbuk 3)
10/5: STEVE MILLER, BOB GELDOF, B.W. STEVENSON
10/6: MATTHEW SWEET, DAVID HILDAGO (Los Lobos)
10/7: JOHN MELLENCAMP, THOM YORKE (Radiohead), KEVIN GODLEY (10cc), KIERAN KANE, YO-YO MA, DALE WATSON, DINO VALENTE (Quicksilver Messenger Service)
10/8: JOHNNY RAMONE (The Ramones)
10/9: JOHN LENNON, SEAN LENNON, P.J. HARVEY, JACKSON BROWNE, JOHN ENTWISTLE (The Who), KURT NEUMANN (BoDeans)
10/10: JOHN PRINE, THOMAS DOLBY, MIDGE URE (Ultravox), CYRIL NEVILLE, KIRSTY MacCOLL, THELONIOUS MONK, IVORY JOE HUNTER, DAVID LEE ROTH (Van Halen)
10/11: DARYL HALL (Hall & Oates), TODD SNIDER
10/12: BOB MOULD (Husker Du, Sugar), PAT DINIZIO (The Smithereens), SAM COOKE (Sam & Dave), JANE SIBERRY, LUCIANO PAVAROTTI
10/13: PAUL SIMON, ROBERT LAMM (Chicago)
10/14: NATALIE MAINES (Dixie Chicks), THOMAS DOLBY, JUSTIN HAYWARD (The Moody Blues), KENNY NEAL
10/15: CHRIS DE BURGH, BARRY McGUIRE
10/16: JOHN MAYER, BOB WEIR (Grateful Dead), FLEA (Red Hot Chili Peppers), NICO (Velvet Underground)
10/17: ZIGGY MARLEY, WYCLEF JEAN, JAMES SEALS (Seals & Crofts)
10/18: CHUCK BERRY, LAURA NYRO, WYNTON MARSALIS, TONY FURTADO
10/19: TODD PARK MOHR (Big Head Todd & The Monsters), KARL WALLINGER (World Party), PATRICK SIMMONDS (Doobie Brothers), KEITH REID (Procal Harum)
10/20: TOM PETTY, EDDIE HARRIS, JELLY ROLL MORTON, SNOOP DOG
10/21: MANFRED MANN, JULIAN COPE, STEVE CROPPER (Booker T & The MG's), ELVIN BISHOP, RON ELLIOT (Beau Brummels), DIZZY GILLESPIE
10/22: SHELBY LYNNE, JOHN WESLEY HARDING, CRIS KIRKWOOD (the Meat Puppets), BOBBY FULLER, LESLIE WEST (Mountain/West, Bruce and Laing)
10/23: DWIGHT YOAKAM, WIERD AL YANKOVIC, BOOZOO CHAVIS
10/24: BILL WYMAN (Rolling Stones), SONNY TERRY, BIG BOPPER, CORKY SIEGEL (Siegel Schwall Band)
10/25: ED ROBERTSON (Barenaked Ladies), SPEECH (Arrested Development), JOHN HALL (Orleans), JON ANDERSON (Yes)
10/26: NATALIE MERCHANT (10,000 Maniacs), BOOTSY COLLINS (Funkadelic/Parliament/James Brown), DAVID WAS (Was Not Was), DETROIT JUNIOR
10/27: SCOTT WEILAND (Stone Temple Pilots), SIMON LE BON (Duran Duran), GARRY W. TALLENT (E Street Band)
10/28: BEN HARPER, CAITLIN CARY (Whiskeytown), CHARLIE DANIELS, TED HAWKINS, WILLIAM REID (Jesus & The Mary Chain)
10/29: PETER TIMMINS (Cowboy Junkies), PETER GREEN (Fleetwood Mac), DENNY LAINE (Wings)
10/30: GRACE SLICK (Jefferson Airplane/Starship), TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT (Eagles/Poco), GAVIN ROSSDALE (Bush), EDDIE HOLLAND
10/31: LARRY MULLEN JR. (U2), ROBERT POLLARD (Guided By Voices), JOHNNY MARR (The Smiths), ADAM HOROVITZ (Beastie Boys), JOHNNY CLEGG, KINKY FRIEDMAN, TOM PAXTON
11/1: LYLE LOVETT, ANTHONY KIEDIS (Red Hot Chili Peppers), SOPHIE B. HAWKINS, RICK GRECH (Traffic, Blind Faith)
11/2: K.D. LANG, KEITH EMERSON (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), JOHN DAVID SOUTHER
11/3: ADAM ANT, LULU
11/4: DELBERT McCLINTON, CHRIS DIFFORD (Squeeze)
11/5: RYAN ADAMS (Whiskeytown), GRAM PARSONS (The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers), ART GARFUNKEL (Simon & Garfunkle), BRYAN ADAMS, IKE TURNER, ROY ROGERS
11/6: GLENN FREY (the Eagles), RORY BLOCK, DOUG SAHM (Sir Douglas Quintet), GUY CLARK
11/7: JONI MITCHELL, MARY TRAVERS (Peter, Paul & Mary)
11/8: BONNIE RAITT, RICKIE LEE JONES, BONNIE BRAMLETT, ROY WOOD (The Move), MINNIE RIPPERTON
11/9: SUSAN TEDESCHI, TOM FOGERTY (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
11/10: GREG LAKE (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson)
11/11: DAVE ALVIN (The Blasters), ANDY PARTRIDGE (XTC), MARSHALL CRENSHAW, CHRIS SMITHER, JESSE COLIN YOUNG, LAVERN BAKER, MOSE ALLISON
11/12: NEIL YOUNG, BOOKER T. JONES (Booker T & The MG's), BUCK DHARMA (Blue Öyster Cult)
11/13: TIMMY THOMAS, JOHN HAMMOND, JR.
11/14: BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO, CAREY BELL
11/15: CHAD KROEGER (Nickelback), ANSON FUNDERBURGH (Fabulous Thunderbirds), LITTLE WILLIE JOHN, PETULA CLARK
11/16: DIANA KRALL
11/17: GORDON LIGHTFOOT, JEFF BUCKLEY, GENE CLARK (The Byrds), MARTIN SCORSESE
11/18: DUNCAN SHEIK, GRAHAM PARKER, HANK BALLARD, DON CHERRY
11/19: CHRIS CAIN, RAY COLLINS (Mothers Of Invention)
11/20: DUANE ALLMAN (Allman Brothers), JOE WALSH (Eagles), NORMAN GREENBAUM
11/21: BJÖRK, DR. JOHN, LONNIE JORDAN (War), LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
11/22: STEVE VAN ZANDT (E Street Band), JASON RINGENBERG (Jason & The Scorchers), TINA WEYMOUTH (Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club)
11/23: BRUCE HORNSBY, RL BURNSIDE
11/24 DONALD "DUCK" DUNN (Booker T. & The MG's), PETE BEST (The Beatles), LEE MICHAELS, JOHN SQUIRE (Stone Roses)
11/25: PERCY SLEDGE, BEV BEVAN (The Move, E.L.O.)
11/26: JOHN McVIE (Fleetwood Mac), TINA TURNER
11/27: JIMI HENDRIX
11/28: RANDY NEWMAN, BERRY GORDY, JR., PAUL SHAFFER
11/29: JOHN MAYALL, FELIX CAVALIERE (The Rascals), CHUCK MANGIONE
11/30: BILLY IDOL, SHUGGIE OTIS, PAUL STOOKEY (Peter, Paul & Mary), TERRY REID, JUNE POINTER (Pointer Sisters), DICK CLARK
12/1: KIM RICHEY, JOHN DENSMORE (The Doors), BETTE MIDLER, LOU RAWLS
12/2: MICHAEL McDONALD (Doobie Brothers), NELLY FURTADO
12/3: STEVE FORBERT, MICKEY THOMAS (Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Starship), OZZY OSBOURNE
12/4: DENNIS WILSON (Beach Boys), SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY (Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes), CHRIS HILLMAN (Byrds/Desert Rose Band)
12/5: J.J. CALE, JONNY RZEZNICK (Goo Goo Dolls), LITTLE RICHARD, JIM MESSINA (Loggins and Messina)
12/6: PETER BUCK (R.E.M.), KIM SIMMONDS (Savoy Brown), DAVE BRUBECK
12/7: TOM WAITS, HARRY CHAPIN, LOUIS PRIMA
12/8: SINEAD O'CONNOR, JIM MORRISON (The Doors), GREG ALLMAN (Allman Brothers), JOHNNY OTIS, JIMMY SMITH
12/9: JAKOB DYLAN (The Wallflowers), JOAN ARMATRADING, RICK DANKO (The Band), DAN HICKS, JUNIOR WELLS, NEIL INNES (Bonzo Dog Band), GEOFF BARROW (Portishead)
12/10: JOHN HAMMOND, J MASCIS (Dinasour Jr)
12/11: BIG MAMA THORNTON
12/12: FRANK SINATRA, CY CURNIN (The Fixx), DICKEY BETTS (The Allman Brothers Band)
12/13: JEFF "SKUNK" BAXTER (Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers), TOM VERLAINE (Television)
12/14: MIKE SCOTT (The Waterboys)
12/15: PAUL SIMONON (The Clash), JOHN HAMMOND, SR.
12/16: ROBBEN FORD, BILLY GIBBONS (ZZ Top)
12/17: MIKE MILLS (R.E.M.), PAUL BUTTERFIELD, ART NeVILLE (Neville Brothers)
12/18: KEITH RICHARDS (Rolling Stones)
12/19: JOHN McKUEN (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), MAURICE WHITE (Earth, Wind & Fire), PHIL OCHS, ALVIN LEE (Ten Years After), PROFESSOR LONGHAIR
12/20: CHRIS ROBINSON (Black Crowes), BILLY BRAGG
12/21: FRANK ZAPPA (The Mothers of Invention), CARL WILSON (The Beach Boys), ALBERT LEE, BETTY WRIGHT, CARLA THOMAS, GABRIELLE GLASER (Luscious Jackson)
12/22: RICK NIELSEN (Cheap Trick), MAURICE GIBB (Bee Gees), ROBIN GIBB (Bee Gees)
12/23: EDDIE VEDDER (Pearl Jam), VICTORIA WILLIAMS, JORMA KAUKONEN (Hot Tuna/Jefferson Airplane/Starship), ADRIAN BELEW, TIM HARDIN, CHET BAKER
12/24: LEE DORSEY, DOYAL BRAMHALL II
12/25 (Christmas): ANNIE LENNOX (Eurythmics), DIDO, JIMMY BUFFETT, SHANE MacGOWAN (The Pogues), NOEL REDDING (Jimi Hendrix Experience), CAB CALLOWAY
12/26: JOHN SCOFIELD, PHIL SPECTOR
12/27: DAVID KNOFLER (Dire Straits), KARLA BONOFF, MICK JONES (King Crimson/Foreigner)
12/28: EDGAR WINTER, CHARLIE NEVILLE (Neville Brothers), ALEX CHILTON (The Boxtops/Big Star), POP STAPLES (The Staple Singers)
12/29: GLEN PHILLIPS (Toad The Wet Sprocket), MARIANNE FAITHFULL
12/30: PATTI SMITH, JEFF LYNNE (The Move/ELO/Traveling Wilburys), BO DIDDLEY, DEL SHANNON, MICHAEL NESMITH (The Monkees)
12/31: ANDY SUMMERS (The Police), PAUL WESTERBERG (Replacements), MARY RAMSEY (10,000 Maniacs), ODETTA, JOHN DENVER
1/1: COUNTRY JOE McDONALD (Country Joe & The Fish)
1/2: ROGER MILLER
1/3: STEPHEN STILLS (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD/CSN), GEORGE MARTIN, JOHN PAUL JONES (Led Zeppelin)
1/4: MICHAEL STIPE (R.E.M.), BETH GIBBONS (Portishead)
1/5: SAM PHILLIPS, IRIS DeMENT, CHRIS STEIN (Blondie)
1/6: KIM WILSON (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), SYD BARRETT (ex-Pink Floyd), SANDY DENNY (Fairport Convention), EARL SCRUGGS
1/7: JOHN ONDRASIK (Five For Fighting), KENNY LOGGINS (Loggins & Messina)
1/8: ELVIS, TIFT MERRITT, ROBBY KRIEGER (The Doors), DAVID BOWIE
1/9: DAVE MATTHEWS, JOAN BAEZ, JIMMY PAGE (Led Zeppelin), LES PAUL
1/10: SHAWN COLVIN, ROD STEWART, DONALD FAGEN (Steely Dan), BRAD ROBERTS (Crash Test Dummies), JIM CROCE, CYRIL NeVILLE (Neville Bros)
1/11: CLARENCE CLEMONS (E Street Band), ROBERT EARL KEEN, DAVE ALVIN (The Blasters), ANDY PARTRIDGE (XTC), MARSHALL CRENSHAW, CHRIS SMITHER, JESSE COLIN YOUNG (The Youngbloods), MOSE ALLISON, LAVERN BAKER
1/12: MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL, RUTH BROWN, LONG JOHN BALDRY
1/13: TREVOR RABIN (Yes), GRAHAM "SUGGS" MCPHERSON (Madness)
1/14: DAVE GROHL (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), T BONE BURNETT, ALLEN TOUSSAINT, CLARENCE CARTER
1/15: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, RONNIE VAN ZANT (Lynyrd Skynyrd), MARTHA DAVIS (The Motels), GENE KRUPA
1/16: SADE
1/17: STEVE EARLE, MICK TAYLOR (The Rolling Stones), SUSANNA HOFFS (The Bangles), SHABA RANKS
1/18: DAVID RUFFIN (The Temptations), TOM BAILEY (The Thompson Twins)
1/19: JANIS JOPLIN, ROBERT PALMER, DOLLY PARTON, PHIL EVERLY (The Everly Brothers)
1/20: EDWIN McCAIN, LEADBELLY, PAUL STANLEY (Kiss)
1/21: CHARLYN "CHAN" MARSHALL (Cat Power), RICHIE HAVENS, EDWIN STARR, SNOOKS EAGLIN, KENNETH KINSEY (The Kinsey Report)
1/22: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE (INXS), SAM COOKE, STEVE PERRY (Journey)
1/23: ROBIN ZANDER (Cheap Trick), PATRICK SIMMONS (The Doobie Brothers), DANNY FEDERICI (E Street Band)
1/24: WARREN ZEVON, AARON NEVILLE (The Neville Brothers), JOOLS HOLLAND (Squeeze), DOUG KERSHAW, JOHN BELUSHI (The Blues Brothers), NEIL DIAMOND
1/25: ANDY COX (English Beat/Fine Young Cannibals), ETTA JAMES, SLEEPY JOHN ESTES
1/26: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, HUEY "PIANO" SMITH, EDDIE VAN HALEN (Van Halen)
1/27: MARGO TIMMINS (Cowboy Junkies), NICK MASON (Pink Floyd), TRICKY, BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND, MIKE PATTON (Faith No More)
1/28: SARAH McLACHLAN, SAM PHILLIPS, ROBERT WYATT
1/29: JONNY LANG, LOUIS PEREZ (Los Lobos), TOMMY RAMONE (The Ramones), RODDY FRAME (Aztec Camera)
1/30: RUTH BROWN, MARTY BALIN (Jefferson Airplane/Starship), STEVE MARRIOTT (Small Faces/Humble Pie)
1/31: JOHNNY ROTTEN (The Sex Pistols), PHIL COLLINS (Genesis), LLOYD COLE (Lloyd Cole And The Commotions), PHIL MANZANERA (Roxy Music)
2/1: DON EVERLY (The Everly Brothers), MIKE CAMPBELL (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), LISA MARIE PRESLEY, RICK JAMES
2/2: GRAHAM NASH (HOLLIES/CSNY), EVA CASSIDY, STAN GETZ
2/3: DAVE DAVIES (The Kinks), LEE RENALDO (Sonic Youth), MELANIE
2/4: NATALIE IMBRUGLIA, TIM BOOTH (James), ALICE COOPER
2/5: CHRIS BARRON (Spin Doctors), AL KOOPER (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
2/6: BOB MARLEY, NATALIE COLE
2/7: KING CURTIS
2/8: TOM RUSH, MERLE WATSON
2/9: CAROLE KING, JOE ELY (The Flatlanders)
2/10: ROBERTA FLACK
2/11: SHERYL CROW, JIMMY CARTER (The Blind Boys Of Alabama), GENE VINCENT, OTIS CLAY, SLIM HARPO, GERRY GOFFIN
2/12: RAY MANZAREK (The Doors), MICHAEL McDONALD (Doobie Brothers), STEVE HACKETT (Genesis)
2/13: PETER GABRIEL
2/14: ROB THOMAS (Matchbox Twenty), MACEO PARKER (James Brown), TIM BUCKLEY, MERLE SAUNDERS (Jerry Garcia), ERIC ANDERSEN
2/15: MICK AVORY (The Kinks)
2/16: ANDY TAYLOR (Duran Duran), SONNY BONO (Sonny & Cher)
2/17: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG (Green Day)
2/18: YOKO ONO, SEAN WATKINS (Nickel Creek), IRMA THOMAS, DENNIS DeYOUNG (Styx)
2/19: SEAL, DAVE WAKELING (English Beat/General Public), SMOKEY ROBINSON
2/20: KURT KOBAIN (Nirvana), WALTER BECKER (Steely Dan), J. GEILS (J. Geils Band), RANDY KALIFORNIA (Spirit), BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
2/21: JERRY HARRISON (Talking Heads), MARY CHAPIN-CARPENTER, COREY HARRIS
2/22: JUDE JOHNSTONE, ERNIE K-DOE
2/23: JOHNNY WINTER, HOWARD JONES
2/24: MICHELLE SHOCKED, NICKY HOPKINS, LONNIE TURNER
2/25: GEORGE HARRISON, MIKE PETERS (The Alarm)
2/26: JOHNNY CASH, FATS DOMINO, ERYKAH BADU, MITCH RYDER
2/27: NEAL SCHON (Santana/Journey/Bad English), PAUL HUMHREYS (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
2/28: BRIAN JONES (Rolling Stones), CINDY WILSON (The B-52s), JOHN FAHEY, JOE SOUTH
3/1: ROGER DALTRY (The Who), NIK KERSHAW
3/2: CHRIS MARTIN (Coldplay), LOU REED, DOC WATSON, ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART, EDDIE MONEY, RORY GALLAGHER
3/3: JUNIOR PARKER, ROBYN HITCHCOCK
3/4: EVAN DANDO (Lemonheads), CHRIS REA, MIRIAM MAKEBA, BOBBY WOMACK
3/5: EDDIE GRANT
3/6: DAVID GILMOUR (Pink Floyd), PHIL ALVIN (The Blasters), KIKI DEE
3/7: PETER WOLF (J Geils Band), TOWNS VAN ZANDT, ARTHUR LEE (Love), MATTHEW FISHER (Procol Harum), CHRIS WHITE (Zombies)
3/8: SHAWN MULLINS, RANDY MEISNER (Eagles), GARETH "GAZ" COOMBES (Supergrass), GARY NUMAN, MICKY DOLENZ (The Monkees)
3/9: ROBIN TROWER
3/10: EDIE BRICKELL
3/11: LISA LOEB, PETE DROGE, BOBBY McFERRIN, NINA HAGEN, FLACO JIMENEZ
3/12: JAMES TAYLOR, PAUL KANTNER (Jefferson Airplane/Starship), BILL PAYNE (Little Feat)
3/13: ADAM CLAYTON (U2), TONI PRICE, DANNY KIRWIN (Fleetwood Mac)
3/14: LORETTA LYNN, QUINCY JONES
3/15: PHIL LESH (Grateful Dead), MARK McGRATH (Sugar Ray), RY COODER, LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS, SLY STONE (Sly and the Family Stone), MIKE LOVE (Beach Boys)
3/16: JERRY JEFF WALKER, NANCY WILSON (Heart)
3/17: BILLY CORGAN (Smashing Pumpkins), JOHN SEBASTION (Lovin' Spoonful)
3/18: JERRY CANTRELL (Alice In Chains), JAMES McMURTRY, WILSON PICKETT
3/19: CLARENCE "FROGMAN" HENRY, RUTH POINTER (The Pointer Sisters)
3/20: JIMMIE VAUGHN, SLIM JIM PHANTOM (Stray Cats), MARCIA BALL, CARL PALMER (Emerson Lake and Palmer), ALPHONSO MARTIN (Steel Pulse)
3/21: SOLOMON BURKE, CONRAD R. LOZANO (Los Lobos), ROGER HODGSON (Supertramp), SON HOUSE, OTIS SPANN, VIV STANSHALL (The Bonzo Dog Band)
3/22: SUZANNE SULLEY (Human League), GEORGE BENSON, KEITH RELF (The Yardbirds)
3/23: RIC OCASEK (The Cars), DAMON ALBARN (Blur), CHAKA KAHN (Rufus)
3/24: NICK LOWE, SHARON CORR (The Corrs), LEE OSKAR (War), NENA
3/25: ELTON JOHN, ARETHA FRANKLIN, JEFF HEALY, JOHNNY BURNETT, MICHAEL STANLEY
3/26: JAMES IHA (Smashing Pumpkins), RUFUS THOMAS, STEVEN TYLER (Aerosmith), DIANA ROSS (Supremes)
3/27: TONY BANKS (Genesis), ANDREW FARRIS (INXS)
3/28: JOHN EVANS (Jethro Tull)
3/29: JOHN POPPER (Blues Traveler), PERRY FARRELL (Jane's Addiction/Porno For Pyros), VANGELIS
3/30: NORAH JONES, ERIC CLAPTON, TRACY CHAPMAN, GRAEME EDGE (Moody Blues)
3/31: MICK RALPHS (Mott The Hoople/Bad Company), HERB ALPERT
4/1: JIMMY CLIFF, RONNIE LANE (Faces), GIL SCOTT-HERON
4/2: EMMYLOU HARRIS, MARVIN GAYE, LEON RUSSELL
4/3: RICHARD THOMPSON, RICHARD MANUEL (The Band), JOHN MOONEY, JAN BERRY (Jan & Dan)
4/4: MUDDY WATERS, BERRY OAKLEY (The Allman Brothers Band), GARY MOORE, HUGH MASEKELA
4/5: PAULA COLE, MIKE McCREADY (Pearl Jam/Temple Of The Dog)
4/6: MERLE HAGGARD
4/7: BILL KREUTZMANN (Grateful Dead), BILLIE HOLIDAY, RAVI SHANKAR, JANIS IAN, JOHN OATES (Hall & Oates)
4/8: JULIAN LENNON
4/9: CARL PERKINS, GENE PARSONS (The Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers)
4/10: BRIAN SETZER (Brian Setzer Orchestra/Stray Cats), BUNNY WAILER (The Wailers)
4/11: JOSS STONE, CHRIS DIFFORD (Squeeze), STUART ADAMSON (Big Country), RICHARD BERRY
4/12: AMY RAY (Indigo Girls), HERBIE HANCOCK, JOHN KAY (Steppenwolf)
4/13: AL GREEN, LOWELL GEORGE (Little Feat), JACK CASADY (Hot Tuna/Jefferson Airplane), Max Weinberg (E Street Band)
4/14: LORETTA LYNN
4/15: DAVE EDMUNDS, BESSIE SMITH
4/16: DAVE PIRNER (Soul Asylum), DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, HERBIE MANN, GERRY RAFFERTY (Stealers Wheel), STEFAN GROSSMAN
4/17: LIZ PHAIR, PETE SHELLEY (Buzzcocks), JAN HAMMER
4/18: CLARENCE "GATEMOUTH" BROWN, SKIP SPENCE (Moby Grape/Jefferson Airplane)
4/19: DAR WILLIAMS, ALEXIS KORNER, ALAN PRICE (The Animals), MARK VOLMAN (The Turtles/the Mothers of Invention/Flo & Eddie)
4/20: (no birthdays listed)
4/21: IGGY POP, ROBERT SMITH (The Cure), MICHAEL TIMMONS (Cowboy Junkies)
4/22: PAUL CARRACK (Squeeze), MICHAEL FRANTI (Spearhead), PETER FRAMPTON, CHARLES MINGUS, JAMES ARMSTRONG
4/23: ROY ORBISON
4/24: DOUG CLIFFORD (Creedence Clearwater Revival), GLEN CORNICK (Jethro Tull), BARBRA STREISAND
4/25: ALBERT KING, ELLA FITZGERALD, STU COOK (Creedence Clearwater Revival), VASSAR CLEMENTS
4/26: GARY WRIGHT, RODGER TAYLOR (Duran Duran), DUANE EDDY
4/27: KATE PIERSON (The B-52's), PETE HAM (Badfinger), ACE FREHLEY (Kiss)
4/28: CHUCK LEAVELL (Rolling Stones/The Allman Brothers Band), KIM GORDON (Sonic Youth)
4/29: OTIS RUSH, LONNIE DONEGAN, DUKE ELLINGTON
4/30: WILLIE NELSON, REVEREND GARY DAVIS, JOHNNY FARINA (Santo and Johnny), WAYNE KRAMER (MC5)
5/1: JUDY COLLINS, LITTLE WALTER, RITA COOLIDGE
5/2: LOU GRAMM (Foreigner)
5/3: JAMES BROWN, PETE SEEGER, CHRISTOPHER CROSS, BING CROSBY, FRANKI VALLI
5/4: GREGG ALEXANDER (the New Radicals), DICK DALE, ED CASSIDY (Spirit)
5/5: IAN McCULLOCH (Echo & The Bunnymen), BLIND WILLIE McTELL, TAMMY WYNETTE, JOHNNIE TAYLOR
5/6: JIMMY DALE GILMOUR (The Flatlanders), BOB SEGER
5/7: EAGLE-EYE CHERRY
5/8: ROBERT JOHNSON, CHRIS FRANTZ (Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club), PHILIP BAILEY (Earth, Wind & Fire), RICK NELSON
5/9: BILLY JOEL, DAVE PRATER (Sam & Dave)
5/10: BONO (U2), SLY DUNBAR (Sly & Robbie), SID VICIOUS (The Sex Pistols), DAVE MASON, DONOVAN, GRAHAM GOULDMAN (10cc), JAY FERGUSON (Spirit), LARRY WILLIAMS
5/11: ERIC BURDON (WAR), BUTCH TRUCKS (Allman Brothers)
5/12: STEVE WINWOOD, IAN DURY, IAN McCLAGEN (Faces), BILLY SWAN, BURT BACHARACH
5/13: STEVIE WONDER, DARIUS RUCKER (Hootie and the Blowfish), RITCHIE VALENS, MARY WELLS, MAGIC DICK (J. Geils Band)
5/14: DAVID BYRNE (Talking Heads), JACK BRUCE (Cream)
5/15: BRIAN ENO, MIKE OLDFIELD, JONATHAN RICHMAN
5/16: KRIST NOVOSELIC (Nirvana), RICHARD PAGE (Mr. Mister)
5/17: TAJ MAHAL, JESSE WINCHESTER, ENYA, BILL BRUFORD (King Crimson, Yes, Genesis), TRENT REZNOR (Nine Inch Nails)
5/18: RICK WAKEMAN (Yes), BIG JOE TURNER
5/19: PETE TOWNSHEND (The Who), GRACE JONES, JOEY RAMONE (The Ramones)
5/20: JOE COCKER, JANE WEIDLIN (The Go-Go's), CHER
5/21: RONALD ISLEY (The Isley Brothers), STAN LYNCH (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), FATS WALLER, TONY SHERIDAN, BILL CHAMPLIN (Sons of Champlin/Chicago), LEO SAYER
5/22: MORRISSEY, BERNIE TAUPIN
5/23: JEWEL
5/24: BOB DYLAN, ROSANNE CASH, RICH ROBINSON (The Black Crowes), PATTI LABELLE, TOMMY CHONG (Cheech and Chong)
5/25: PAUL WELLER (The Jam/Style Council), MILES DAVIS
5/26: LENNY KRAVITZ, STEVIE NICKS (Fleetwod Mac), LEVON HELM (The Band), HANK WILLIAMS JR., MICK RONSON, PEGGY LEE
5/27: BRUCE COCKBURN, NEIL FINN (Split Enz/Crowded House), SIOUXIE SIOUX (Siouxie And The Banshees), RAMSEY LEWIS
5/28: JOHN FOGERTY (Creedence Clearwater Revival), ROLAND GIFT (Fine Young Cannibals), GLADYS KNIGHT, T-BONE WALKER
5/29: MELISSA ETHERIDGE, NOEL GALLAGHER (Oasis), GARY BROOKER (Procal Harum), DANNY ELFMAN (Oingo Bongo)
5/30: TOM MORELLO (Rage Against The Machine), NICKY "TOPPER" HEADON (The Clash)
5/31: JOHN "BONZO" BONHAM (Led Zeppelin), MICK RALPHS (Mott The Hoople/Bad Company), COREY HART, JOHNNY PAYCHECK, PETER YARROW (Peter, Paul & Mary)
6/1: ALANIS MORISSETTE, RON WOOD (Rolling Stones)
6/2: CHARLIE WATTS (Rolling Stones)
6/3: CURTIS MAYFIELD, IAN HUNTER (Mott The Hoople)
6/4: KASEY CHAMBERS, FREDDY FENDER, GORDON WALLER (Peter & Gordon)
6/5: LAURIE ANDERSON, RICHARD BUTLER (Psychedelic Furs)
6/6: GARY "U.S." BONDS, STEVE VAI, DWIGHT TWILLEY, LEVI STUBBS (The Four Tops), EDGAR FROESE (Tangerine Dream), DEAN MARTIN
6/7: PRINCE, DAVE NAVARRO (Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers), CLARENCE WHITE (The Byrds/Gram Parsons), TOM JONES
6/8: BOZ SCAGGS, NANCY SINATRA, CHUCK NEGRON (Three Dog Night)
6/9: JACKIE WILSON, LES PAUL, MITCH MITCHELL (Jimi Hendrix Experience), COLE PORTER
6/10: HOWLIN' WOLF, JUDY GARLAND
6/11: FRANK BEARD (ZZ Top)
6/12: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, JUNIOR BROWN, BUN E. CARLOS (Cheap Trick), CHICK COREA
6/13: DAVID GRAY, RIVERS CUOMO (Weezer) DENNIS LOCORRIERE (Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show)
6/14: ROD ARGENT (Zombies/Argent), JUNIOR WALKER, BARRY MELTON, MUFF WINWOOD, BOY GEORGE
6/15: WAYLON JENNINGS, HARRY NILSSON, STEVE WALSH (Kansas)
6/16: LAMONT DOZIER, IAN MATTHEWS (Matthews Southern Comfort/Fairport Convention)
6/17: GREG ROLIE (Journey/Santana), IGOR STRAVINSKY
6/18: PAUL McCARTNEY, TOM BAILEY (The Thompson Twins), ALISON MOYET
6/19: NICK DRAKE, ANN WILSON (Heart)
6/20: BRIAN WILSON (Beach Boys), CHET ATKINS, CYNDI LAUPER, JOHN TAYLOR (Duran Duran)
6/21: RAY DAVIES (The Kinks), NILS LOFGRIN (Grin/E Street Band)
6/22: STEVEN PAGE (Barenaked Ladies), TODD RUNDGREN, CATIE CURTIS, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, MIKE EDWARDS (Jesus Jones), HOWARD KAYLAN (Turtles/Mothers)
6/23: JUNE CARTER CASH
6/24: MICK FLEETWOOD (Fleetwood Mac), CURT SMITH (Tears For Fears), JEFF BECK, ASTRO (UB40), COLIN BLUNSTONE (The Zombies)
6/25: TIM FINN (Split Enz/Crowded House/The Finn Brothers), CARLY SIMON, IAN McDONALD (King Crimson)
6/26: CHRIS ISAAK, MICK JONES (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite), GEORGIE FAME, HARRIET WHEELER (The Sundays), TERRI NUNN (Berlin)
6/27: LEIGH NASH (Six Pence None The Richer), DOC POMUS, BRUCE JOHNSTON (The Beach Boys)
6/28: RICHARD RODGERS
6/29: COLIN HAY (Men At Work)
6/30: DAVE VAN RONK
7/1: DEBBIE HARRY (Blondie), FRED SCHNEIDER (B-52's), DAN ACKROYD (Blues Brothers), DELANEY BRAMLETT, JAMES COTTON
7/2: MICHELLE BRANCH, PAUL WILLIAMS (The Temptations)
7/3: PAUL BARRERE (Little Feat), "MISSISSIPPI" JOHN HURT
7/4: BILL WITHERS, JEREMY SPENCER (Fleetwood Mac), JOHN WAITE
7/5: ROBBIE ROBERTSON, MARC COHN, HUEY LEWIS, SMILEY LEWIS
7/6: NANCI GRIFFITH, BILL HALEY (Bill Haley and The Comets)
7/7: RINGO STARR (The Beatles)
7/8: JOAN OSBOURNE, BECK, LOUIS JORDAN
7/9: COURTNEY LOVE (Hole), JIM KERR (Simple Minds), MARK ALMOND (Soft Cell), MITCH MITCHELL (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
7/10: ARLO GUTHRIE, BELA FLECK, NEIL TENNANT (Pet Shop Boys)
7/11: SUZANNE VEGA, MICHAEL ROSE (Black Uhuru), BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON
7/12: CHRISTINE McVIE (Fleetwood Mac)
7/13: RODGER McGUINN (The Byrds)
7/14: WOODY GUTHRIE, TANYA DONELLY (Belly)
7/15: LINDA RONSTADT, JOE SATRIANI, TREVOR HORN (The Buggles), JOHNNY THUNDERS (The New York Dolls)
7/16: STEWART COPELAND (Police), ED KOWALCZYK (Live), DESMOND DEKKER, NORMAN COOK (Fatboy Slim)
7/17: SPENCER DAVIS, PHOEBE SNOW, NICOLETTE LARSON
7/18: RICKY SCAGGS, MARTHA REEVES (Martha And The Vandellas), SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS, BRIAN AUGER (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
7/19: BRIAN MAY (Queen), BERNIE LEADON (Eagles), KEITH GODCHAUX (Grateful Dead), ALLEN COLLINS (Lynerd Skynerd)
7/20: CARLOS SANTANA, STONE GOSSARD (Pearl Jam/Brad), CHRIS CORNELL (Soundgarden), JOHN LODGE (Moody Blues)
7/21: CAT STEVENS, HOWIE EPSTEIN (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers)
7/22: EMILY SALIERS (Indigo Girls), RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, DON HENLEY (Eagles), GEORGE CLINTON (Paliament/Funkadelic)
7/23: ALISON KRAUSE, DAVID ESSEX
7/24: NO BIRTHDAYS TO REPORT
7/25: STEVE GOODMAN, THURSTON MOORE (Sonic Youth)
7/26: MICK JAGGER
7/27: PETE YORN, JULIANA HATFIELD, KARL MUELLER (Soul Asylum), KIM FOWLEY
7/28: RICK WRIGHT (Pink Floyd), MIKE BLOOMFIELD, JONATHON EDWARDS
7/29: PATTY SCIAFA (E Street Band), GEDDY LEE (Rush)
7/30: KATE BUSH, BUDDY GUY, DAVID SANBORN, PAUL ANKA
7/31: BILL BERRY (R.E.M.), DANIEL ASH (Love & Rockets), JIM CORR (The Corrs), Bob Welch (Fleetwood Mac)
12/10:
J MASCIS (born Joseph D. Mascis) (Lead singer and guitarist with Amherst, Mass '90s grunge band Dinosaur Jr. and J Mascis & the Fog; "Start Choppin'") Born in 1965.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/10:
In 1967, Otis Redding and several members of his band died when their plane crashed into a lake near near Madison, Wisconsin. His biggest hit, "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay," was released just three days earlier. Otis Redding was 26.
In 1975, The Who were awarded a Gold record for the album The Who By Numbers.
In 1984, The all-star group assembled by Bob Geldof, Band-Aid released "Do They Know It's Christmas?". The proceeds went to Ethiopian famine relief. Geldof would later receive knighthood back home in Britain for his efforts.
In 1989, The Stranger by Billy Joel was the number one album in the country.
In 1998, Bruce Springsteen was victorious in a $4 million court battle to prevent the release of an album of his early recordings.
In 1999, Rock & roll deejay Alan Freed was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the first to widely use the term rock & roll, a phrase which would eventually make it into the dictionary.
In 1999, Rick Danko, bass player for The Band, died in his sleep in Woodstock, New York, one day after celebrating his 56th birthday.
In 2001, "Let's Roll" by Neil Young arrived at radio stations. He penned the tune after hearing the story of the passengers on United's Flight 93 who fought back against their hijackers but died with them in that Pennsylvania field. The plane went down not long after passenger Todd Beamer led others in an attempt to take on the hijackers. His last words over the cell phone were, "Let's Roll." Young had read the story about Beamer in the local newspaper and immediately wrote and released the song.
12/11:
BIG MAMA THORNTON (born Willie Mae Thornton) (Big, beltin' blues mama; wrote "Hound Dog" and "Ball And Chain") Born in 1926 in Montgomery, Alabama. Died in July 25, 1984, in Los Angeles.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC (12/11):
In 1957, 22-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis secretly wed his third wife, 13-year-old third cousin Myra Brown, in Tennessee. It would not be a good career move.
In 1960, Aretha Franklin made her New York stage debut performing blues and standards at the Village Vanguard.
In 1964, One-time Gospel singer and highly popular and influential R&B/pop singer Sam Cooke died under sordid and mysterious circumstances. What exactly happened will probably never be revealed or become clear, but the tragedy involved an illicit sexual tryst at a motel gone wrong, with the irate manager of the establishment shooting a supposedly enraged and out-of-control Cooke. His wholesome persona was besmirched by the scandalous event, but his memorable sweet, soul songs live on.
In 1965, Ray Charles' version of a Buck Owens' "Cryin' Time" became Ray's 44th chart entry; it stayed on the singles chart for 15 weeks, topping out at #6.
In 1971, The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, released his 32nd album, Revolution Of The Mind. Its opening track had a title only J.B. could have concocted, "It's A Brand New Day So Open Up The Door And Let A Man Come In To Do The Popcorn." He was surpassed years later with the never-to-be topped 90-word title of Fiona Apple's second album.
In 1971, Later known as the "ketchup song," "Anticipation" by Carly Simon was released.
In 1972, Genesis played their first American engagement at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Appearing were Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks.
In 1976, The breakthrough album for Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Night Moves, was released. It would go on to sell five million copies.
In 1988, Don Henley, Tom Petty, Graham Nash and Bonnie Raitt paid homage to the recently deceased Roy Orbison with a benefit show at L.A.'s Wiltern Theatre.
In 2002, Moby was assulted after a show at Boston's Paradise Club. He was attacked by three assailants with mace and beaten for reasons unknown.
12/12
FRANK SINATRA (born Francis Albert Sinatra) (Ole' Blue Eyes aka The Chairman Of The Board and leader of the "Rat Pack"; perhaps the greatest interpreter and reviver of interest in the Great American Songbook [Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart], crooner, actor, immortal figure and '40s-'90s pop/jazz legend; his latter-day pop hits included "Something Stupid," "Strangers In The Night," "That's Life," "New York, New York") Born in 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Died May 14, 1998, in Los Angeles, of cardiac arrest.
DICKEY BETTS (born Forrest Richard Betts) (Best known as one of the original twin lead guitarists - along with Duane Allman - in The Allman Brothers Band; Dickey wrote the band's biggest hit, "Ramblin' Man"; in and out of the band since the early '70s; solo albums and Dickey Betts and Great Southern; "Revival," "Blue Sky," "Jessica," "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed," "California Blues") Born in 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
GROVER WASHINGTON, JR. (Veteran soulful fusion or Smooth Jazz saxophonist; "Just the two of Us" [with Bill Withers on vocals]) Born in 1943 in Buffalo, New York. Died on December 17, 1999, in New York.
CY CURNIN (Leader of hit '80s Brit band The Fixx; "Stand Or Fall," "Red Skies," "One Thing Leads To Another") Born in 1957.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/12
In 1964, One of the all-time golden nuggets was released as the Phil Spector-produced "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," by The Righteous Brothers (Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield) hit the record stores.
In 1967, A London Appeals Court rescinded Rolling Stone Brian Jones' nine-month sentence for marijuana possession when they determined, based on testimony from several shrinks, that Jones was an "extremely frightened young man" and could not withstand nine months of incarceration.
In 1970, A comedy of errors or misconceptions took place as charges of "larceny by trick" were filed against Little Richard in Miami Beach by Blacks, Inc., a black advocacy and self-help group that claimed the rock icon pocketed $250. he had solicited for the group. Richard said that all he wanted was a receipt and he would return their dough. The charges were later dropped.
In 1970, Stephen Stills' be-here-now hippie love anthem and bestseller, "Love The One You're With," was released.
In 1973, Emerson Lake & Palmer snickered after their Brain Salad Surgery album went Gold. The term was apparently Brit slang for oral sex.
In 1976, The Rolling Stones began work on what would become their Black & Blue album. It marked the departure of guitarist Mick Taylor, who'd replaced the late Brian Jones five years previously. Several excellent guitarists auditioned and actually wound up being heard on the album, including Harvey Mandel, Wayne Perkins and Ronnie Wood; Ronnie would eventually get the gig on a permanent basis. At the time, Mick Jagger quipped, "No doubt we can find a brilliant six-foot-three blond guitarist who can do his own make-up."
In 1980, Devo's "Whip It" became a Gold record. Accused of being an ode to self-flagellation, the song, in truth, according to group member Gerald Casale, was a motivational "can-do, self-help song. Whip it, as in whip it into shape."
In 1997, John Fogerty played the first of two nights at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. He played for two and a half hours, performing Creedence Clearwater Revival classics in addition to a number of tracks from his new disc, Blue Moon Swamp.
In 2001, David Bowie announced that he was quitting his longtime record label, Virgin, to start a new imprint record label, ISO. At 54, the "thin white duke" explained it away in a statement, "I've had one too many years of bumping heads with corporate structure."
TOM VERLAINE (born Thomas Miller) (Lead guitarist and songwriter for highly acclaimed Velvet Underground-influenced NYC '70s punk band Television; also solo albums; Tom took the last name of the French Symbolist poet; collaborated with Patti Smith on poetry book, The Night) Born in 1949 in Wilmington, Delaware.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/13
In 1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on Britain's Ready Steady Go! Marc Bolan (T. Rex) was on the same show.
In 1974, George Harrison met President Gerald Ford at the White House. Harrison was invited there after the Chief Executive's son Jack met Harrison backstage at a Salt Lake City concert.
In 1975, David Bowie's "Golden Years" was released.
In 1976, Robin Trower, the former lead guitarist for Procol Harum and disciple of Jimi Hendrix, received a Gold record for his fifth solo effort, Long Misty Days.
In 1976, Just three days after its release, Paul McCartney & Wings' triple-album live Wings Over America went Gold.
In 1985, Phil Collins made his U.S. television acting debut portraying a drug dealer on Miami Vice.
In 1986, Bruce Hornsby zoomed to #1 with his second single, "The Way It Is."
In 1988, Bruce Springsteen's divorce from Portland, Oregon, model/actress Julianne Phillips became final.
In 1993, Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash joined Billy Joel onstage in L.A. for Joel's tune, "Shameless."
In 1996, The popular and acclaimed Tom Cruise movie Jerry McGuire opened. Eagles singer/guitarist Glenn Frey had a small role.
In 2003, After an amazing 93 weeks on the Billboard album chart, Norah Jones' Come Away With Me remained parked at the #40 position.
12/14:
MIKE SCOTT (Singer, songwriter with The Waterboys; solo artist; "The Whole of the Moon," "Fisherman's Blues") Born in 1958 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
JANE BIRKIN (British singer/actress immortalized for her orgasmic moaning and mutterings in French on the one-off 1969 international novelty hit "Je T'Aime…Moi Non Plus," recorded under name of Serge Gainsbourg) Born in 1946 in London.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/14
In 1959, Rock & roll was the overwhelming favorite of 14-18 year-olds, while most people aged 19-70 named it as their least favorite music.
In 1963, R&B/blues/pop legend Dinah Washington died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. From the mid-'40s, and her start with Lionel Hampton, to her untimely passing, she had been a critical and popular favorite.
In 1967, The popular deejay and TV host Dick Clark announced that he was making a film about hippies, The Love Children, which would star Jack Nicholson, Dean Stockwell and Susan Strasberg, and feature the music of The Strawberry Alarm Clock and The Seeds. Ah, yes, another cinematic masterpiece was coming to fruition.
In 1968, After busting the Top 10 a few times, Marvin Gaye finally scored his first #1 single with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."
In 1968, Iron Butterfly's epic dirge, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" went Gold. The 18-minute long, bass-riffing track was a classic back in the days of early progressive FM radio.
In 1972, Ringo became a movie producer. His film about T. Rex's Marc Bolan, Born To Boogie, opened in London.
In 1974, David Crosby and Graham Nash performed in San Francisco at a benefit concert for the United Farm Workers union and Project Jonah, a whale protection organization.
In 1977, The John Travolta movie, Saturday Night Fever, accelerated the popularity of disco music with a soundtrack chock full of dance hits by The Bee Gees, Kool & The Gang and KC & The Sunshine Band, among others. A disco backlash of sorts would soon follow.
In 1980, At the request of Yoko Ono, at 2pm Eastern Standard Time, John Lennon fans spanning the globe honored his memory with 10 minutes of silent prayer. In New York City alone, 100,000 converged in Central Park for the occasion.
In 1985, James Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker.
In 1999, Paul McCartney, joined by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Deep Purple's Ian Paice, played the Cavern Club for the first time since the early Beatles days. The concert was netcast live over the internet and attracted some 50 million hits.
In 2002, U2 and Paul McCartney announce that they are confirmed to play in New Orleans at the upcoming Superbowl XXXVI halftime show on February 3. In addition, the Barenaked Ladies and No Doubt were slated to perform at the Fox Tailgate Party in the stadium's parking lot.
12/15
PAUL SIMONON (Longtime bass player for The Clash; recorded one album with Gary Myrick as Havana 3 A.M. before he returned to his painting; raised in working-class Brixton, he met Mick Jones in art school; "London Calling," "Train In Vain," "Rock The Casbah," "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?") Born in 1955 in London.
JOHN HAMMOND, SR. (born John Henry Hammond, Jr.) (Columbia Records talent scout, producer; involved in the discovery and development of Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Charlie Christian, George Benson, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen; father of blues musician John Hammond) Born in 1910 in New York. Died on July 10, 1987 in New York.
CARMINE APPICE (Drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and the short-lived [Jeff] Beck, Bogart & Appice; "Superstition") Born in 1946 in Staten Island.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/15
In 1957, Sammy Davis, Jr., inaugurated a syndicated radio talk show with a round-table discussion of rock & roll. Sam's guests were Columbia Records' big-wig and producer, Mitch Miller and MGM Records President, Arnold Maxim. When Davis and Miller smugly denounced rock as "the comic books of music" (and Miller had a lot of nerve, as he had helped usher in rock & roll with his mediocre pop hits of the early '50s), Maxim disagreed, saying, "I don't see any end to rock & roll in the near future." In its various permutations, it has proven to be the longest-lived form in the history of pop music.
In 1959, In milestones of sorts, The Everly Brothers pulled a pair of personal firsts. They recorded in New York and were backed by a string section when they cut "Let It Be Me."
In 1967, The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour went Gold.
In 1968, Performing with the Jefferson Airplane on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Grace Slick appeared in blackface and raised a black leather glove in the black power salute at the conclusion of "Crown Of Creation." It was one of the incidents that led to corporate axing the show the following season.
In 1977, The Who performed a "secret" concert for longstanding members of their fan club at London's Shepperton Studios. Much of the footage wound up in the Who documentary, The Kids Are Alright.
In 1977, Two days before they were scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live, their first American television appearance and the launch of their U.S. tour, the Sex Pistols were denied entry to the U.S. due to a visa problem.
In 1979, "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd made it to #1 in the U.K. It would later repeat the feat here in the U.S.
In 1988, "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown, was sentenced to a six-year jail term for leading police on a late-night, two state car pursuit.
In 2001, R&B star Rufus Thomas ("Walking the Dog") died in Memphis. He was 84.
12/16:
ROBBEN FORD (Talented jazz/blues guitar player and singer who has worked with Joni Mitchell, The Yellowjackets, George Harrison, Miles Davis and Tom Scott, among many others; solo career; "Talk To Your Daughter," "Ghosts," "I'm a Real Man," "Keep On Running," "Badge") Born in 1951 in Ukiah, California.
BILLY GIBBONS (Longtime guitarist with ZZ Top; highly regarded electric blues picker, even Jimi Hendrix was an admirer; "La Grange," "Legs," "Tush," "Under Pressure," "Sharp Dressed Man") Born in 1949 in Houston, Texas.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/16
In 1965, The Beatles released a terrific two-hit single with "Day Tripper" on one side and "We Can Work It Out" on the other.
In 1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their first single, "Hey Joe."
In 1970, In a single day, five singles and five albums by Creedence Clearwater Revival were certified Gold. The singles were "Down On The Corner," "Lookin' Out My Backdoor," "Travelin' Band," "Bad Moon Risin'" and "Up Around The Bend." The long-players were Cosmo's Factory, Willy & The Poor Boys, Green River, Bayou Country and their debut, Creedence Clearwater Revival.
In 1974, Mick Taylor revealed in a press release that he was departing The Rolling Stones after a five-year run, stating that "he felt it was the time to move on and do something new."
In 1974, Mott The Hoople (Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs and company) announced that they were over as a band.
In 1988, the first album by The Traveling Wilburys broke into the Top Ten of the album chart.
In 1991, Chubby Checker filed a lawsuit against McDonalds in Canada seeking $14 million in reparation for the unauthorized use of a simulation of his voice in a commercial.
In 1997, Singer/songwriter Nicolette Larson died from brain swelling at age 45. She was best known for her Top Ten hit of Neil Young's "Lotta Love," which she lent backing vocals to on his 1978 Comes A Time album.
In 2001, Stuart Adamson, lead vocalist of Big County, was found dead in a Honolulu hotel room after disappearing from his Nashville home a month earlier. He had been battling alcoholism for many years.
12/17:
MIKE MILLS (Longtime bass player for '80s/'90s superstars, R.E.M.; also recorded the 1990 record Hindu Love Gods with Peter Buck, Bill Berry and Warren Zevon; grew up in Macon, GA; "Radio Free Europe," "So. Central Rain," "Fall On Me," "The One I Love," "Stand," "Pop Song 89," "Losing My Religion," "Shiny Happy People," "Drive," "Man On The Moon," "Everybody Hurts," "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" "Bang And Blame," "It's The End Of The World As We Know It [And I Feel Fine]," "Bad Day," "Animal," "Leaving New York," "Aftermath") Born in 1958 in Orange, California.
PAUL BUTTERFIELD ('60s/'70s blues star from Chicago, best known for his tenure as guitarist, vocals and harmonica for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band; a teenage Butterfield hung out on Chicago's South Side clubs playing with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and other legends before joining up with University of Chicago classmate Elvin Bishop; "Born In Chicago," "Walking Blues," "It All Comes Back," "East-West," "In My Own Dream") Born in 1942 in Chicago. Died on May 4, 1987, of a drug overdose in Hollywood, California.
ART NEVILLE (Keyboard player and vocalist for The Neville Brothers and The Meters; oldest of the four brothers from the prominent New Orleans R&B family; "Tell It Like It Is," "Hey Pocky Way," "Yellow Moon," "Brother John," "Congo Square" ) Born in 1937 in New Orleans.
PAUL RODGERS (Distinctive husky-voiced lead vocalist for Free in the '60s and '70s and later with Bad Company in the '70s and '80s and The Firm with Jimmy Page in the '80s; "Fire And Water," "All Right Now," "Ready For Love," "Can't Get Enough," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Rock And Roll Fantasy," "Radioactive") Born in 1949 in Middlesborough, England.
EDDIE KENDRICKS (Legendary vocalist for '60s/'70s sensations, The Temptations; solo career; The Temps were one of a handful of Motown acts that received airplay on early progressive FM radio; the band had an amazing 37 hit singles; "Ball Of Confusion," "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," "Just My Imagination," "I Wish It Would Rain," "My Girl," "Keep On Truckin'," "Boogie Down") Born in 1939 in Union Springs, Alabama. Died of lung cancer on October 5 in Birmingham, Alabama.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/17
In 1955, With their song "Only You" already at #2, The Platters' "The Great Pretender" debuted on the R&B chart at #13.
In 1966, The Four Tops' "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" began a 10-week run on the charts, entering the Top 10.
In 1969, The bizarre Tiny Tim married Miss Vicky on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
In 1970, The Beach Boys performed for Princess Margaret at London's Royal Albert Hall.
In 1977, At the last minute, Elvis Costello And The Attractions were scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live in place of the Sex Pistols, who are unable to gain a visa to enter the country. SNL Producer Lorne Michaels asked Costello to not play "Radio, Radio" (because of the song's roasting of '70s corporate rock radio). Costello launched into a few seconds of "Less Than Zero," then abruptly broke into a full version of "Radio, Radio." Michaels was not amused and banned Costello from SNL for years.
In 1982, The Who performed at what was billed as the "last concert of our farewell tour" at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The show was simulcast nationally on pay-per-view satellite/cable TV to closed-circuit arena outlets.
In 1986, Paul and Linda McCartney were not injured after their limo caught fire as they were headed to a TV taping in Newcastle, England.
In 1999, Keith Richards decided to keep a guitar from an autograph seeker at his birthday party at the Russian Tea Room in New York. The owner of the guitar shrugs it off with, "It's Keith, man."
KEITH RICHARDS (The venerable, seemingly indestructible guitarist and, with Mick, co-songwriter of the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band, The Rolling Stones, for 40 years; dubbed Mr. Rock & Roll, The Riff King and one of The Glimmer Twins; Jagger initially met Richards in Primary School and they hooked up later as mutual fans of American blues and R&B; he supposedly dreamt the basic musical structure of “[I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction” and woke up in time to jot it down; other accomplishments, aside from still being alive, include various solo albums; “Tell Me,” “The Last Time,” “[I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction,” “Get Off Of My Cloud,” “As Tears Go By,” “Mother’s Little Helper,” “Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow,” “Paint It Black,” “Under My Thumb,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Let’s Spend The Night Together,” “Dandelion,” “She’s A Rainbow,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Live With Me,” “Monkey Man,” “Let It Bleed,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Happy,” “Tumbling Dice,” “Heartbreaker,” “It’s Only Rock ’N Roll,” “Start Me Up,” “Waiting On A Friend,” “You Don’t Move,” “Take It So Hard”) Born in 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England.
CHAS CHANDLER (Bass player for The Animals; producer and manager; instrumental in Jimi Hendrix's early success) Born in 1938 in Heaton, Tyne & Wear, England. Died July 17, 1996, in Tyneside, England.
THIS DAY IN music: 12/18
In 1961, Chubby Checker's version of “The Twist” had been on the singles chart at this point for 23 weeks, longer than any other record.
In 1964, Funeral services for Sam Cooke were held in Chicago with hundreds of fans noisily converged on the A.R. Leak Funeral Home, where Cooke lay in repose. Sam Cooke's legacy included the rich catalog of “Cupid,” “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “Havin' A Party,” “Twistin' The Night Away,” and “Wonderful World.”
In 1965, Stevie Wonder made his second trip to the Top 10 with his single “Uptight.” It entered the chart on this day, staying there for 14 weeks, and peaking at #3.
In 1968, John and Yoko appeared (sort of) at "An Alchemical Wedding" at the Underground Club in London. They were both onstage but not visible, crawling along inside a large white bag. It was the beginning of what Yoko called "Baggism."
In 1969, A New York Times article proclaimed that the youth audience in America was accountable for 75% of the $1 billion spent annually on recorded music. In the same issue, John’s and Yoko's War Is Over full page ad appeared.
In 1971, One of Joe Tex's biggest hits, “I Gotcha,” was released. A contributing factor to the success of the song was Joe's slurred delivery of the line "told you not to play with my affection," which caused millions of teenaged girls to misinterpret the last word.
In 1974, Kris Kristofferson received his second Gold record for “Me And Bobby McGee,” the title track of a four year-old album. The song, of course, had become a million-seller for the late Janis Joplin.
In 1976, The album Fly Like An Eagle by Steve Miller was released. Over two decades later, the U.S. postal service would use the record’s title track in their TV commercial campaign.
In 1979, The Joy Division played what would be their only gig ever in Paris when they appeared at the Les Bains Club.
In 1981, A sizable crowd around the world, estimated at 35 million, watched Rod Stewart go through his paces during a concert televised via satellite from the Forum in L.A. The show featured guest appearances by Kim Carnes and Tina Turner. The latter joined Rod the Mod on “Hot Legs” and “Get Back.”
In 1988, Mike Peters of The Alarm had to be hospitalized after his retinas were nearly fried by spotlights during a performance in Chester, England. The remainder of dates in the tour had to be cancelled.
In 2000, British singer/songwriter Kirsty MacColl was killed in a boating accident off the coast of Mexico. She was 41.
In 1955, At Sun Studios in Memphis, Carl Perkins recorded one of his biggest hits (and one of Elvis's), "Blue Suede Shoes." Perkins version would make it to #2 on the charts.
In 1962, A great batch of talent from Detroit was presented at the Tamla/Motown Rock & Roll Show at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. The 10-day engagement featured Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Mary Wells and The Contours.
In 1969, Mick Jagger was fined approximately $400 at Marlborough Magistrates Court for possession of weed.
In 1970, Mike Curb, head of MGM Records and future lieutenant governor of California, was commended by President Nixon for purging his label roster of artists who supposedly promoted drug use.
In 1975, C.W. McCall scored a Gold record for the pop radio hit, "Convoy," a novelty tune revolving around interstate truckers and their run-ins with the long arm of the law. A huge hit, the song helped introduce CB radio lingo into the mainstream. That's a big 'ten-four,' good buddy.
In 1981, The final concert of The Rolling Stone's 1981 U.S. tour took place in Hampton, Virginia. It was viewed by thousands upon thousands when it was shown via cable.
In 1987, Singer/songwriter Paul Simon hosted Saturday Night Live simultaneously with the then-presidential candidate who bore the same name.
In 1987, Michael Clarke, the original drummer with The Byrds and a creative force in country-rock, died of liver failure at the of age 49.
In 2000, The Manic Street Preachers played their last series of concerts before the disappearance of band member, Richie James.
In 2000, Robert Buck, the guitarist and founding member of 10,000 Maniacs, died of liver failure.
BILLY BRAGG (born Steven William Bragg) (Brit political punk-folk singer/songwriter; leader of The Blokes; collaborated with Wilco on two collections of Woody Guthrie lyrics which they set to music, Mermaid Avenue, Volumes One and Two; "She's Leaving Home," "California Stars") Born in 1957 in Barking, Essex, England.
ALAN PARSONS (Producer/engineer, songwriter; worked on two of the biggest rock albums of all time: the 1969 Beatles' album, Abbey Road, and the 1972 Pink Floyd album, Dark Side Of The Moon; formed the Alan Parsons Project in 1975 and enjoyed a couple of spacey rock/pop hits; In the 1999 hit comedy film Austin Powers, comedian Mike Myers referred to his villain's death ray as "The Alan Parsons Project"; "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You," "Games People Play," "Time," "Eye In The Sky," "I Robot") Born in 1949 in England.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/20
In 1957, Greetings from Uncle sam: Elvis received his draft notice.
In 1967, In Blackpool, England, singer Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick, recently departed from the John Evans Blues Band, formed a group called Jethro Tull. They named themselves after an 18th Century inventor of various farm implements. Evans later joined the group as keyboard player.
In 1967, The Hollies released "He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)."
In 1969, Peter Paul & Mary shot to #1 with their single "Leaving On A Jet Plane," a John Denver composition.
In 1969, One of the great Rolling Stones albums, Let It Bleed, highlighted by "Midnight Rambler," "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," hit #1 on the album charts.
In 1973, Bobby Darin, one of the few teen idols of the '50s to ride out of the storms of the '60s and early '70s with relative aplomb, died of heart failure during his second open heart surgery. He was only 37 and left behind 14 Top 20 hits recorded between 1958 and 1966, the biggest of which was doubtless the Sinatra-like "Mack The Knife."
In 1975, Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" hit the airwaves.
In 1975, Joe Walsh lent his considerable guitar prowess to the Eagles when he replaced Bernie Leadon.
In 1980, 12 days following the assassination of John Lennon, "Just Like Starting Over" became the former Beatle's first U.K. #1.
In 1992, One of the great legends of the blues, guitarist Albert King, passed on.
In 1999, Influential Canadian Country/Americana legend, Eugene Clarence "Hank" Snow ("I'm Movin' On"), died at his home in Nashville. He was 85.
12/21:
FRANK ZAPPA (born Francis Vincent Zappa Jr.) (Popular avant-garde satirical rock and jazz guitarist and composer who emerged in the mid '60s as band leader of early FM rock radio favorite, The Mothers Of Invention and the Grand Wazoo Orchestra; producer of more than 80 albums with titles such as Freak Out!, Absolutely Free, We're Only In It For The Money [a parody of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper], Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Lumpy Gravy, Over-Night Sensation and countless others; grew up in the Southern CA high desert town of Lancaster; father of Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa; gave early jobs to Lowell George, Steve Vai and Adrian Belew and discovered Captain Beefheart and '70s superstar Alice Cooper; testified in congress against music censorship; "America Drinks And Goes Home," "Brown Shoes Don't Make It," "Wowie Zowie," "Peaches And Regalia," "Willie the Pimp," "Camarillo Brillo," "I'm the Slime," "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," "Valley Girl" [a 1982 hit with daughter Moon Unit], "Joe's Garage") Born in 1940 in Baltimore. Died of prostrate cancer at age 52 on December 4, 1993, in Los Angeles.
CARL WILSON (Singer, guitarist and founding member of The Beach Boys along with brothers Brian and Dennis, a band that has sold over 66 million records worldwide; Carl resisted the nostalgia and quit the band in 1981 to record two solo albums; sang lead on "Good Vibrations," "God Only Knows," "Girl Don't Tell Me," "Wild Honey," "Darlin,'" "Surfer Girl") Born in Hawthorne, California, in 1946. Died of cancer on February 6, 1998, in Los Angeles.
ALBERT LEE (Best known as longtime picker for Emmylou Harris in her Hot Band in the '70s; started out as guitarist in early '70s Brit pop/funk band Head, Hands & Feet, recorded with Eric Clapton in the '80s; solo albums) Born in 1943 in Leominster, England.
BETTY WRIGHT ('70s and '80s R&B/gospel singer; "Where Is The Love?" "Clean Up Woman," What Are You Gonna Do With It" [1981 collaboration with Stevie Wonder]) Born in 1953 in Miami.
CARLA THOMAS ('60s Stax Records star and Memphis's reigning Queen Of Soul before Aretha Franklin arrived on the scene; currently resides in Nashville; "B-A-B-Y," "Tramp" [with Otis Redding], "I Like What You're Doing To Me") Born in 1942 in Memphis.
GABRIELLE GLASER (Singer and guitarist for all-female band Luscious Jackson) Born in 1966.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/21
In 1966, Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys received a well-deserved Gold record for their innovative work on the goose bump-producing hit single "Good Vibrations."
In 1967, The Rolling Stones' not entirely successful foray into psychedelia, Their Satanic Majesties Request, was released. To this day, it is among Mick's least favorite albums. The band returned to the basics for the next album, with the release of the bluesy Beggars Banquet.
In 1968, Crosby Stills & Nash performed publicly for the first time. Their previous harmonizing had taken place in Joni Mitchell's Laurel Canyon house.
In 1969, Diana Ross made her final appearance as a member of The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show.
In 1970, Three new albums turned Gold, Traffic's reunion disc, John Barleycorn Must Die, the original British studio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar and Judy Collins' In My Life.
In 1970, In his quest to become an honorary undercover agent for the DEA and do his bit for the never-ending war on drugs, Elvis was invited to the White House to offer his services to President Richard Nixon. Reportedly under the influence of heavy prescription barbiturates, the king gave the tricky one a chrome-plated Colt .45 pistol. In exchange, Nixon gave Presley a Narcotics Bureau badge. A remarkable photo commemorating the occasion remains.
In 1974, The Doobie Brothers released what would be their biggest hit to radio, "Black Water."
In 1979, Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles joined forces for a benefit concert for California governor Jerry Brown's bid for nomination as the next presidential candidate. The event, held at the San Diego Sports Arena, was followed by a second fund-raiser at the Aladdin Theatre in Vegas. Ronstadt, incidentally, was the governor's girlfriend at the time.
In 1989, Carlos Santana and his wife had a daughter named Angelica Faith.
12/22:
RICK NIELSEN (Guitarist, chief songwriter for Cheap Trick, mega-selling late-'70s/early-'80s rock/pop band formed in 1974 in Rockford, Illinois; "I Want You To Want Me," "Surrender," "The Dream Police," "The Flame") Born in 1948 in Rockford, Illinois.
MAURICE GIBB and ROBIN GIBB (The twin brothers of The Bee Gees, a band that produced some quality pop songs in the late '60s and early '70s, including "Holiday," "I Started A Joke," "To Love Somebody" and "I Gotta Get A Message To You" before they entered their Saturday Night Fever-induced disco phase with songs like "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever") Born in 1949 on the Isle Of Man, England. Maurice died of cardiac arrest on January 12, 2003.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/22:
In 1956, Elvis had the most charting singles of the year with a total count of 17. Pat Boone was a distant second with five, followed by Fats Domino, Little Richard and The Platters with three each.
In 1962, The other-worldly sounding "Telstar" by The Tornadoes became the first record by a British group to make it to the top spot on the American singles chart. The inspiration for the instrumental was the launching of the Telstar communications satellite in July.
In 1968, Leonard Bernstein, famed composer and conductor for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, proclaimed his enthusiasm for the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, a group that combined elements of both rock and classical.
In 1969, John and Yoko convened for one hour with Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in Ottawa. Earlier that day, they had discussed urban drug issues with the Canadian Minister of Health.
In 1975, Ike and Tina Turner were relieved of some $86,000 when a thief absconded with a suitcase containing concert receipts.
In 1976, Motor City rocker Bob Seger continued his ascendance to major stardom as his in-concert album, Live Bullet, went Gold. The record featured souped-up versions of many of his earlier songs.
In 1978, Onetime Faces drummer Kenney Jones became the permanent replacement for the recently deceased Keith Moon in The Who—definitely a tough act to follow.
In 1979, Paul McCartney, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, Rockpile and many others performed at the first of three concerts to benefit the people of Kampuchea. The venue was London's Hammersmith Odeon.
In 1981, An auction of rock & roll memorabilia was conducted at Sotheby's in London. Many of the items were sold for much more than anticipated, including an enameled Abbey Road street sign that went for $600 and an autographed program from The Beatles' Royal Command Performance that fetched $2,000. On the other hand, there wasn't much demand for a jacket once worn by Tom Jones; it only brought in $12.
In 1991, Gregg Allman made his acting debut as a drug lord in the movie Rush.
12/23:
EDDIE VEDDER (born Edward Louis Seversen III) (Singer and songwriter for Pearl Jam, one of the key bands to emerge from the Seattle-based '90s grunge rock movement; formed in 1990; "Jeremy," "Even Flow," "Daughter," "Yellow Ledbetter," "Better Man") Born in 1964 Evanston, Illinois.
VICTORIA WILLIAMS (Acclaimed singer-songwriter, married to former Jayhawk Mark Olson; "You R Loved," "Crazy Mary") Born in 1958 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
JORMA KAUKONEN (Guitarist, singer and songwriter specializing in country/blues; founding member of Jefferson Airplane and spin-off band, Hot Tuna; soloist; began in the early '60s backing up Janis Joplin; runs his Fur Peace Ranch music camp in Ohio when not touring; "Embryonic Journey," "Good Shepherd," "I Am the Light of this World") Born in 1940 in Washington, DC.
ADRIAN BELEW (born Robert Steven Belew, aka Luther James Grosvenor) (Best known for his stints as guitarist for '70s bands Mott The Hoople, Spooky Tooth and King Crimson; has also played with Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Laurie Anderson and Nine Inch Nails; "Oh Daddy") Born in 1949 in Covington, Kentucky.
TIM HARDIN (Influential folk/rock singer, songwriter; "Reason To Believe," "If I Were a Carpenter") Born in 1943 in Eugene, Oregon. Died in 1980, of a drug overdose.
LITTLE ESTHER PHILLIPS (Born Esther Mae Jones) (Blues, R&B, soul and jazz vocalist) Born in 1935 in Galveston, Texas. Died Aug 7, 1984 in Carson, California.
CHET BAKER (Legendary jazz trumpet player) Born in 1929 in Yale, Oklahoma. Died on May 3, 1988 in Amsterdam.
HARRY SHEARER (Comedic writer, actor, deejay/reporter (KCRW Santa Monica CA); best known for his portrayal of Derek Smalls in the classic rock film This Is Spinal Tap) Born in 1943.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/23:
In 1964, Performing "Little Saint Nick," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Johnny B. Goode" and "Monster Mash," The Beach Boys made their first appearance on Shindig!.
In 1966, Pink Floyd played the opening night of the Night Tripper, a night club in London that would become the focal point of the psychedelic underground there. The establishment later changed its name to the UFO Club.
In 1969, One of the great pop/rock composing teams, Bernie Taupin and Elton John, collaborated for the first time.
In 1970, Joni Mitchell received her first Gold record, for her third album, Ladies Of The Canyon.
In 1972, Imagine, a film by John Lennon, made its debut on American television.
In 1974, As band mate John Lennon had done three years earlier, George Harrison released a holiday single, "Ding Dong, Ding Dong," which would celebrate the ringing in of the New Year.
In 1998, Barenaked Ladies' Stunt entered the Top 20 album chart.
12/24:
DOYLE BRAMHALL II (Blues-rockin' guitarist; member of Austin blues-guitar gods the Arc Angels; recorded with Sheryl Crow; son of drummer Doyle Bramhall [who played and co-wrote with Stevie Ray Vaughan]; "Ain't Goin' Down Slow," "Living In A Dream") Born in 1968 in Texas.
JAN AKKERMAN (Dutch guitarist primarily known for his work with Focus and their unique and bizarre hit single featuring yodeling and guitar pyrotechnics, "Hocus Pocus") Born in 1946 in Amsterdam.
LEE DORSEY (New Orleans '60s R&B star who often collaborated with Allen Toussaint; "Working In A Coal Mine") Born in 1924 in New Orleans. Died December 1, 1986, in New Orleans.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/24:
In 1960, The kindly Philadelphia Orphan's Court raised Chubby Checker's weekly allowance from $150 to $200 after the 19-year-old landed three songs in the Top 40, "The Class," "The Twist" and "The Hucklebuck."
In 1961, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" became the first pop song of African origin to make it to #1 on the U.S. singles chart. Recorded by the Tokens, the American version was a translation of a South African folk song known as "Mbube" and "Wimoweh."
In 1964, The Beatles' series of Christmas concerts opened at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
In 1965, Rubber Soul, a Beatles album that was perceived by many as a more mature and serious work, and a turning point in their career, went Gold after two weeks.
In 1969, Marking the 10th anniversary of Buddy Holly's death, the compilation album The Buddy Holly Story was certified Gold.
In 1972, Nearby residents complained about the volume of a Manfred Mann's Earth Band concert in Miami, prompting the police to cut the show short and the fans to riot. During the melee, Mann and the band hid out in the dressing room.
In 1973, Tom Johnston of The Doobie Brothers was arrested for possession of marijuana in his stomping grounds of Visalia, California. His court date in the Central California town was slated for right around the time of the release of the band's album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.
In 1974, They took to the streets! James Taylor, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell were spotted singing Christmas carols on the streets of Los Angeles.
In 2002, The Natural Resources Defense Council announced that the Rolling Stones would perform in a rare benefit concert, an event to raise awareness of the problem of increasing global warming. The benefit is set for February 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In 2004, A pair of blues legends passed on. W.C. Handy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated legendary Chicago bluesman Son Seals, 62, died on 12/20 in Chicago from complications from diabetes and legendary Brit jazz/blues musician Dick Heckstall-Smith, 70, died of cancer on 12/19. Heckstall-Smith played sax in the '60s with folks like John Mayall, Mick Jagger, Mick Taylor and Peter Green and was a member of the late '60s progressive rock band Colosseum. Cream bassist Jack Bruce described Heckstall-Smith as his "musical father".
12/25 (Christmas):
ANNIE LENNOX (Co-leader, singer/songwriter of international hit duo Eurythmics with Dave Stewart and '90s solo star; "Sweet Dreams [Are Made Of This]," "Here Comes The Rain Again," "Would I Lie To You?," "Missionary Man," "Don't Ask Me Why," "Love Is A Stranger," "Who's That Girl?," "Right By Your Side," "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" [with Aretha Franklin], "Put A Little Love in Your Heart" [with Al Green]) Born in 1954 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
DIDO (born Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong) (International acoustic/electronica pop star from England; she joined the successful trip-hop band Faithless in 1995 [which was fronted by her older brother, DJ/producer Rollo]; debuted with solo album No Angel in 1999 and toured with Lilith Fair that summer; "Here With Me," "Thank You," "White Flag") Born in 1972.
JIMMY BUFFETT (Pop/folk/country singer/songwriter and author with large cult of faithful concert fans dubbed "Parrot Heads"; "Margaritaville," "Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes," "Cheeseburger In Paradise," "Pencil Thin Mustache," "A Pirate Looks At 40," "Livingston Saturday Night," "One Particular Harbor," "Volcano," "Come Monday") Born in 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
SHANE MacGOWAN (Key member of influential and acclaimed '80s traditional Irish/punk band The Pogues; "Fairy Tale Of New York") Born in 1957 in Kent, England.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/25:
In 1965, The Beatles' sixth album, Rubber Soul, hit #1.
In 1976, The Eagles began an eight-week run on top of the album chart with Hotel California.
In 1977, The Apollo Theater in New York reopened.
In 1978, Public Image Ltd. debuted at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
In 1982, David Bowie was in the Top 5 with his unique duet with Bing Crosby, "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy."
In 1998, Bryan MacLean, guitarist and singer of '60s folk-rock group Love ("My Little Red Book," "Alone Again Or"), as well as the half-brother of Maria McKee, died in Los Angeles of an apparent heart attack at 52.
PHIL SPECTOR (Highly influential Wall of Sound rock producer and songwriter; began producing '60s girl groups like The Crystals and The Ronettes, but best known for producing John Lennon's Imagine, George Harrison's The Concert For Bangladesh and his post-production on the original Let It Be album by The Beatles; has had his share of controversial behavior, including being charged with the December, 2002, shooting death of part-time actress Lana Clarkson) Born in 1940.
JOHN SCOFIELD (Pioneering jazz/funk guitarist who has remained contemporary since the '70s and over 30 albums; veteran of the John Scofield Trio and bands with greats such as Billy Cobham, George Duke, Charles Mingus, Gary Burton, Dave Liebman and Miles Davis; recorded the 2005 tribute album, That's What I say: JS Plays The Music Of Ray Charles; "A Go-Go," "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get") Born in 1951 in Dayton, Ohio.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/26:
In 1964, The Rolling Stones took out an ad in New Musical Express wishing British hairdressers a Merry Christmas.
1966, John Lennon appeared as a men's room attendant in the Peter Cook/Dudley Moore BBC-TV show Not Only...But Also.
In 1968, Led Zeppelin played their first U.S. gig in Boston. They opened for Vanilla Fudge and MC5.
In 1976, The Sex Pistols recorded their epic "God Save The Queen" at a London studio.
In 1999, Chicago soul pioneer Curtis Mayfield died in Roswell, Georgia, at 57 years old. On August 14, 1990, he was paralyzed from the neck down when a stage lighting rig fell on top of him at a concert in Brooklyn.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/27:
In 1963, The Animals played their first radio broadcast, the BBC show Saturday Club.
In 1964, The Supremes made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
In 1973, The #1 record in the land was Jim Croce's "Time in A Bottle," which was released as a single after his untimely death.
In 1989, U2's Rattle And Hum was the #3 album in the country.
In 1992, Singer and pianist Harry Connick, Jr., was arrested at New York's Kennedy Airport after guards found a pistol in his carry-on luggage.
12/28:
EDGAR WINTER (Vocalist, keyboardist and sax player; Johnny's younger brother; "Keep On Playin' That Rock & Roll," "Free Ride," "Frankenstein") Born in 1946 in Beaumont, Texas.
CHARLIE NEVILLE (Sax, drums and vocals for the famed Neville Brothers of New Orleans; "Yellow Moon," "Hey Pocky Way") Born in 1939 in New Orleans.
ALEX CHILTON (Lead singer of the late-'60s/early-'70s band The Box Tops, and leader of influential and acclaimed '80s band Big Star, recently reunited) Born in 1950 in Memphis.
POPS STAPLES (born Roebuck Staples) (Member of the hit '60s/'70s soul band The Staples Singers, solo; "I'll Take You There," "Hope In A Hopeless World") Born in 1915 in Winona, Mississippi. Died December 19, 2000, in Dolton, Illinois.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC 12/28:
In 1968, The Miami Pop Festival featured performances by Procol Harum, Chuck Berry and Fleetwood Mac.
In 1976, Blues guitar legend Freddie King died in Dallas from heart problems. He was 42.
In 1981, Warner/Elektra/Asylum followed the lead of RCA Records and raised their list price for 45rpm singles to $1.99.
In 1983, Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys drowned in a marina in L.A.'s Marina del Rey.
In 1992, Paul Simon and his wife Edie Brickell had a baby boy, Adrian Edward Simon.
12/29:
GLEN PHILLIPS (Lead singer, songwriter of '80s rock/pop band Toad The Wet Sprocket; solo; "All I Want," "Walk On The Ocean," "Fall Down," "Something's Always Wrong," "Fred Meyers") Born in 1970 in Santa Barbara.
MARIANNE FAITHFULL (Brit singer/songwriter, former girlfriend of Mick Jagger; "As Tears Go By") Born in 1946 in London.
RAY THOMAS (Moody Blues flutist and vocalist) Born in 1941 in Stourport-on-Severn, England.
YVONNE ELLIMAN (Backup singer for Eric Clapton; solo hit artist; "If I Can't Have You") Born in 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
THIS DAY IN MUSIC: 12/29
In 1963, The Weavers, America's late-'40s/early-'50s preeminent folk music group, gave their farewell concert at Chicago's Orchestra Hall.
In 1967, Singer, guitarist and songwriter Dave Mason called it quits with Traffic and went solo.
In 1974, The #1 hit single was "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by Elton John. The Lennon/McCartney song first appeared on The Beatles' 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
In 1975, Paul Kantner and Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship filed for divorce.
In 1980, Folksinger and songwriter Tim Hardin ("If I Were A Carpenter," "Reason To Believe") died at 40 of a heroin overdose in Los Angeles.
In 1982, Jamaica issued a Bob Marley commemorative postage stamp.
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