1952 - It was June 3 in '52 when Frank Sinatra joined Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong for the recording of this true blue music classic, Birth of the Blues. Watch this historical, rarely seen, original footage of Frank Sinatra and 'Satchmo', live; Frank smoking a cigarette, an obvious sign of the times, Frank the teen idol to millions of bobby-soxers, 'Satchmo' a hard-core muso jazz man, both artists singing here from the heart. This is a bona fide *MUSICBACKTRACK* gem!
1964 - At least four American TV shows from the early-to-mid sixties claim a series of so-called 'firsts' when it came to appearances of various British groups' American TV show appearances, and The Dean Martin Show is one of them. The show's publicity blurb claims to have hosted the first appearance of the Rolling Stones, 47 years ago, today, at the famed Hollywood Palace, location for Dean's show. Martin introduces the band, cynically, inferring they'd never last. The Stones were in their early twenties at the time, and Martin pretty close to 47 years old. Rock'n'roll British, blues-influenced-style was brand new, and it must've been as confronting for the Stones as it was for Martin and his cohorts...make no mistake, though, this, too, is historic footage, regardless of whether or not this is the Stones' first US TV appearance as has been claimed. It was certainly one of their first few. Poor old Deano, he really had no idea what was happening.
1967 - The music industry is a strange animal. Take The Doors' Light My Fire, for instance. The song was released today, back in '67, and while it was a breakthrough record for the band, it was the version from Jose Feliciano, two years later, in 1969, that won a coveted Grammy Award. Can't compare the two versions, but how about, firstly, this black and white footage of the Doors, live in Europe. Definitely not rare, but an absolute star video. Following that is the Jose Feliciano Grammy winner version.
1972 - The Stones again, eight years after their debut American tele show, as they began their Exile On Main Street North American tour today, almost 40 years ago, with Stevie Wonder as the mainline support act. This is one of the most historic moments in rock'n'roll and soul, captured on video, of The Stones playing Stevie's Uptight, which jams into the Stones' Satisfaction. Stevie Wonder is on stage with the Stones as well as his own band! Two bands!! To top it off, Jim Price and Bobby Keys are tearing it up with the extra horn players! An absolute ripper dipper!
1972 - The Eagles' Take It Easy was released. Does this come anywhere near Hotel California, do you think? Or Desperado? Sadly, the Eagles will not allow you to see this video on *MUSICBACKTRACK*, making it their loss, really, so instead, let's take a look at Joe Walsh, same year, well before he joined - and saved The Eagles. This is Walsh's, Rocky Mountain Way...sorry about that. And just look who's introducing?
1982 - He left the building, but he left Graceland, and I wonder if he knew what a gold mine it would become. And so it was that Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, opened as a tourist attraction, just a little shy of 30 years ago today. I've never been to Graceland, have you? Thanks to one of hundreds of fans on youtube, here's a tour just for you.
1991 - Today marks the 20th year since legendary Willie Nelson released his taxation album, Who'll Buy My Memories - The IRS Tapes LP. The album was made up of songs that had been seized by the U.S. government and would go towards paying off his $16 million tax bill. What a character is Willie Nelson. He is a great song writer, live performer, and all-round good guy, in addition to being a strong spokesperson and advocate for the legalisation of hemp and pot. Watch this amazing recent interview on Larry King. Amazing Willie, don't ya just love him.
1964 - At least four American TV shows from the early-to-mid sixties claim a series of so-called 'firsts' when it came to appearances of various British groups' American TV show appearances, and The Dean Martin Show is one of them. The show's publicity blurb claims to have hosted the first appearance of the Rolling Stones, 47 years ago, today, at the famed Hollywood Palace, location for Dean's show. Martin introduces the band, cynically, inferring they'd never last. The Stones were in their early twenties at the time, and Martin pretty close to 47 years old. Rock'n'roll British, blues-influenced-style was brand new, and it must've been as confronting for the Stones as it was for Martin and his cohorts...make no mistake, though, this, too, is historic footage, regardless of whether or not this is the Stones' first US TV appearance as has been claimed. It was certainly one of their first few. Poor old Deano, he really had no idea what was happening.
1967 - The music industry is a strange animal. Take The Doors' Light My Fire, for instance. The song was released today, back in '67, and while it was a breakthrough record for the band, it was the version from Jose Feliciano, two years later, in 1969, that won a coveted Grammy Award. Can't compare the two versions, but how about, firstly, this black and white footage of the Doors, live in Europe. Definitely not rare, but an absolute star video. Following that is the Jose Feliciano Grammy winner version.
1972 - The Stones again, eight years after their debut American tele show, as they began their Exile On Main Street North American tour today, almost 40 years ago, with Stevie Wonder as the mainline support act. This is one of the most historic moments in rock'n'roll and soul, captured on video, of The Stones playing Stevie's Uptight, which jams into the Stones' Satisfaction. Stevie Wonder is on stage with the Stones as well as his own band! Two bands!! To top it off, Jim Price and Bobby Keys are tearing it up with the extra horn players! An absolute ripper dipper!
1972 - The Eagles' Take It Easy was released. Does this come anywhere near Hotel California, do you think? Or Desperado? Sadly, the Eagles will not allow you to see this video on *MUSICBACKTRACK*, making it their loss, really, so instead, let's take a look at Joe Walsh, same year, well before he joined - and saved The Eagles. This is Walsh's, Rocky Mountain Way...sorry about that. And just look who's introducing?
1982 - He left the building, but he left Graceland, and I wonder if he knew what a gold mine it would become. And so it was that Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, opened as a tourist attraction, just a little shy of 30 years ago today. I've never been to Graceland, have you? Thanks to one of hundreds of fans on youtube, here's a tour just for you.
1991 - Today marks the 20th year since legendary Willie Nelson released his taxation album, Who'll Buy My Memories - The IRS Tapes LP. The album was made up of songs that had been seized by the U.S. government and would go towards paying off his $16 million tax bill. What a character is Willie Nelson. He is a great song writer, live performer, and all-round good guy, in addition to being a strong spokesperson and advocate for the legalisation of hemp and pot. Watch this amazing recent interview on Larry King. Amazing Willie, don't ya just love him.
