1942 - This is the day Glen Miller and his band recorded Jukebox Saturday Night. Before MTV, before promotional videos, Youtube, Google et al, there existed in the forties, 'sounds', which were, in effect, a promotional video for the latest hit song...in this case, the great Glenn Miller and his Modernaires. Sooooo uplifting, what do you think?
1952 - Anyone out there remember Patti Page? She made her TV debut tonight in the summer replacement series for Perry Como's regular show. Two years earlier, Ms. Page was a hit maker, the following song being her biggest hit. The Tennessee Waltz was released in 1950, and was #1 for 13 weeks in that year. The song was written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King in 1947, popularised by Patti and also by Les Paul and Mary Ford, and was easily the biggest hit for that year. Feat your eyes and ears on the gorgeous Patti Page, from almost 60 years ago. Va-va-voom!
1973 - The Kinks were famous for resignations, and on this day, Ray Davies announced that he was leaving The Kinks for the umpteenth time. He returned to the group within the week. For me, Ray Davies remains one of the most underrated rock'n'roll song writers of all time, his keen social observations and sexual innuendos taking him in to the upper echelon of song writing. And this is one of his best…"nobody's here for the art."
1978 - One of our generations icons, Bob Dylan, performed 33 years ago today before the largest open-air concert audience for a single artist. Almost About 200,000 fans turned out at Blackbushe Airport in England to the see the master perform. His two support acts were Eric Clapton and Joan Armatrading. This is a bona feud bootleg amateur snippet selection of stills, posters and audience members at the show, plus some bootleg audio. Thanks to youtuber BobDylanBlackbushe78. At the start of London pub, this is proof positive, that noit everyone fell under the punk spell.
1980 - Linda Ronstadt is one of those special music artists whose talent crossed genres, styles and outlets, and on this day she made her dramatic debut in famous musical, The Pirates Of Penzance. The production was held as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival, held in Central Park. Gilbert and Sullivan's raucous operatic tale is captured in all its fun and glory in this production, and was recorded live at Central Park's Delacorte Theater. Kevin Kline sparkles as the swashbuckling and libidinous Pirate King, while Linda Ronstadt makes her theatrical debut as the lovely and virginal Mabel. When Mabel and Frederic, a young pirate bound to serve the Pirate King, fall in love, complications arise and high spirited antics ensue. The incomparable cast offers the best in this boisterous romp. From the Stone Ponies to now, this is Linda Ronstadt.
1986 - Columbia Records dropped Johnny Cash after 28 years. Johnny signed with Polygram the next year. Why they would have done that, nobody really knows. Perhaps they couldn't him rip him off anymore, who knows. This is an interview with Cash two years later, with Jane Pauley from network television in USA. Cash talks about his sewing skills, Elvis and otherstuff.
1992 - Aretha Franklin sang the U.S. national anthem at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. And she does it with her own, soulful twist. God bless Aretha.
