1941 - And now for some pure gold from Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, performing the classic song, Chattanooga Choo Choo, which was recorded exactly 70 years ago today. The video, the pumping band, the arrangement, all just alive and bursting. Taken from the '41 movie Sun Valley Serenade, the Glenn Miller Orchestra here features great Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly and The Modernaires. And the second clip here, same band, but featuring the gorgeously cute Dorothy Dandridge singing and dancing - a must-see for all you burlesque girls out there and the southern states of USA, clicking by from time to time. Also a must-see for anyone who appreciates fine dancing...totally astounding and inspiring here.
1955 - The money-makers in rock'n'roll would like you to believe this was the first rock'n'roll song, but as good as it is, it aint. It was, however, the first rock'n'roll song to go big time mainstream, helped, no doubt, by its inclusion as theme song for the angst-teen movie of the day, Blackboard Jungle. Recorded 56 years ago today, this is Rock Around The Clock. Great song, great clip, iconic moment for a generation. The second clip here, by Ella Fitzgerald, and from the forties, whilst not technically an early rock'n'roll song, is the first song that mentions rock'n'roll...and in its context - and check out Fred Astaire doing what he does best. There are more references to the song and the movie in our archives, check it out.
1966 - It was on May 7 in the mid sixties' music revolution when soul man James Brown hit world charts with It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World. We've shown that same version many times here on our *MUSICBACKTRACK* check out our archives for more info. So for today, howzabout this cracking jaw-dropping version, 40 years later, with Pavarotti.
1964 - He created the rock'n'roll riff that has been copied and re-styled for fives decades by acts such as AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Status Quo, The Ramones, The Beatles, The Kinks, and thousands of bands around the world. It is 47 years since this iconic song, No Particular Place To Go was released as a single record around the world.
1968 - In his autobiography, Atlantic Records co-owner, producer and music icon Jerry Wexler recalled the origins of one of Aretha Franklin's most recognizable hits, You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman. Wexler, an avid student of African-American musical culture, had been mulling over the concept of the "natural man" when he drove by song writer Carol King on the streets of New York. He shouted out to her he wanted a "natural woman" song for Franklin's next album. King and her writing partner Gerry Goffin wrote the song, it was included on her album, it reached top of the charts around the world, and became one of her signature songs. In thanks, Goffin and King granted Wexler a co-writing credit. The song was released today, May 7, '68.
1967 - The Supremes' song The Happening hit #1 on America's Billboard charts today, and it turned out to be the trio's final release; it was also the same day, same year that press-evasive Bob Dylan gave his first interview since a motorcycle accident just a year earlier. A lot happening today, because it was also the day Jimi Hendrix played two shows at London’s Saville Theatre, and Ringo Starr, Brian Jones and members of The Beach Boys and The Moody Blues were in the audience, such was the word-of-mouth street-cred on the phenomenon that was Hendrix live. For more info and videos of Hendrix, Supremes, Dylan, check our search engine...to the right at the top ^.
1968 - After dropping out of a prestigious music conservatory in the UK to join a rock band called Bluesology, pianist Reginald Dwight's career didn't stop. The band got a break when London blues legend Long John Baldry asked them to be his back-up band in 1966. The band split up in 1968, at which point Reginald realized that Reginald is a terrible name for a rock musician. So today, in '68, Reggies baby took the stage name Elton John in tribute to Elton Dean (the sax player from Bluesology) and John Baldry. This video is two years after he changed his name, when he introduced his lyricist Bernie Taupin to the world, via London's BBC.
1971 - It's now 40 years to the day The Rolling Stones released the song Brown Sugar, a dirty little song which is also the opening track from the band's 1971 album Sticky Fingers. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #490 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and it was the first record on their own label, Rolling Stones Records. Like most Rolling Stones self-penned songs, it was credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, but actually, the song was primarily the work of Jagger, who wrote it whilst in Australia sometime during the filming of Ned Kelly in 1969. The song was originally recorded over three days at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio on December 2–4 December 1969, but not released until May 7, '71 due to legal wranglings with the band's former label.
1977 - It is now 34 years since The Eagles went to #1 on the US singles chart with Hotel California, the groups fourth US No.1, later to become another Eagles song that reached around the world. It's the title song from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single earlier in the year. It is one of the best-known songs of the album-oriented rock era. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and the original recording features Henley singing lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of electric guitar interplay between Felder and guitar player Joe Walsh. This is the only version I could find. All the rest were illegal...and I am sure they'll tear this one down sooner than later.
1978 - Bob Dylan sold 90,000 tickets in less than eight hours for upcoming concerts at London's Earls Court, May 7 this year, and on the same day four years later, Diana Ross received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1983 - This is the day that former Jam creator, Paul Weller, unveiled his next project, The Style Council. It was at a “no nukes” rally held in South London. Not sure if a video exists for this gig, but I couldn't find it if there is, so howzabout this clip of Style Council's You're The Best Thing...and while we're at it, let's check out The Jam and the classic and frenetic Town Called Malice.
1990 - Would you believe it is now 21 years since the enigmatic Sinead O'Connor hit #1, pretty much around the world, with this Prince-penned classic song, Nothing Compares 2 U. The million selling single remains the Irish singer's only top 40 hit, but who cares. This is now an iconic version, iconic song, and it reminds us of the controversy that followed her life of true grit and sticking to her beliefs and principles, no matter what anyone thought. This video is just simply beautiful, as is the song, as is Sinead.
1994 - Aerosmith played the first of seven nights at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, during their 245-date Get A Grip world tour. Brilliant group, been given short change in some quarters in the history of rock'n'roll. First up here we have the title song of the tour, Get A Group, live from Amsterdam, Netherlands, then from the same concert, Amazing. Get the guitar solo from Joe Perry, it sizzles with fire. And again from the same concert, a brilliant version of one of my fave songs of all time, Walk This Way.
