1826 - It is 185 years to the day since composer Stephen Collins Foster was born in the USA, and has since been tagged as the "father of American music", and that he certainly was, until Woody Guthrie came along, about a century later. Foster was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States during the 19th century. His songs such as Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, Old Folks at Home, Swanee River, My Old Kentucky Home, and Beautiful Dreamer captured the heart of a nation, and have remained popular for more than 150 years after they were composed. His songs are known all over the world in some shape or another. Following is an irreverent tribute to Foster, by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Ghost of Stephen Foster. This animation is a stunning masterpiece, and awarded Best Animated Music Video at the 1999 Vancouver Animation Festival. The directors were Raymond Persi and Matthew Nastuk.
1895 - The American patriotic song, America the Beautiful was first published, with lyrics written by Katharine Lee Bates, and music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward. Bates originally wrote the words as a poem entitled Pikes Peak, and first published it in the July 4th edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895, entitled simply America. Years later, 1910, Ward's music combined with Bates' poem was then published and re-titled America the Beautiful. The song is one of the most beloved and popular of the many American patriotic songs. So much so, that every now and then it has been proposed as a replacement for The Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem. Check out this totally awesome version by Ray Charles - with a knockout, funny introduction by Ray.
1942 - My, my, my, how things can change in just 60 years. This is the day the Irving Berlin musical, This is the Army, opened at New York's Broadway Theatre. They soon made a film of the musical, and used it as war propaganda footage. Here's a small excerpt from the movie, and totally jaw-dropping.
1964 - This is the day The Rolling Stones' released one of their big hits of the day, Tell Me, a self-penned ballad. This is the full-tilt original band, 47 years ago, with Brian Jones leading the band. This video is taken from their appearance on the Red Skelton Show which was partially pre-recorded, showcasing Skelton's comedy routines as is the case with this video. Skelton is seen doing the pogo with screaming Stones fans. Here we have the band doing three songs, all hits of the day; Tell Me, Carol and It's All Over Now.
1976 - It's July 4, and Elton John released a duet with the delightful Kiki Dee. Don't Go Breaking My Heart was a fun song, with Elton at his corniest best, nevertheless, with a perfect pop song, and introducing Kiki Dee for the first time. She was a mighty fine singer but it must've been very difficult for her, bursting on to the scene with a #1 hit, first up. This is a video from New York, live, and Ms. Dee looks and sound just delicious here, and listen to the crowd. Love you Kiki.
1980 - The Beach Boys gave a free outdoor performance to an estimated 500,000 people in Washington, DC, on this occasion of July 4, Independence Day, 31 years ago. Here's a few songs from the show, live, proving how good the Beach Boys were. The set includes the brilliant God Only Knows. Can you spot Brian?
1982 - Ozzy Osbourne married his manager, Sharon Arden, whom he first met when she was just 18 years old. Sharon was working for her father, the notorious Don Arden, who managed Black Sabbath, amongst many other acts, including The Small Faces. When Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Sharon Osbourne took over his management from the Arden organization and then started to date Ozzy. Sharon coordinated the recruitment of a technically gifted backing band featuring Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley, and Lee Kerslake, for the recording of The Blizzard of Ozz and, by engaging proven songwriters, helped Ozzy launch what became a highly successful solo career. Don Arden's reputation in the music industry was as a thug bully. Daisley contributed bass and backing vocals as well as songwriting and co-production on the record. He also played and wrote much of the material on the follow-up album Diary of a Madman but both he and drummer Lee Kerslake were fired before the album was released. Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge appeared in their place in the artwork and credits of that album. Daisley and Kerslake successfully sued Jet Records and Don Arden in 1986 for performance royalties and to have their performance credits reinstated on both those recordings. Litigation with regards to these albums continued in 1998 when Daisley and Kerslake sued the Osbournes (who unknown to Daisley and Kerslake had purchased the early albums' publishing rights) for unpaid performance royalties and accreditation. This is how cut-throat the music industry is.
1990 - It's 21 years to the day since 2 Live Crew released their single, Banned in the U.S.A. Brilliant song, brave in execution, and the sentiments so, so true. The paradox of USA, but freedom of speech is its biggest triumph.
1995 - One of the great rock'n'roll bands, The Ramones, released Adios Amigos today, 16 years ago. They were stamped as punk, but for me they were classic, four-on-the-floor, straight-up rock'n'roll. The Ramones played their last European Shows in Germany, and this show in Berlin is filmed by a TV-Station with an interview of Joey Ramone. Following that, their very final performance ever, with a special surprise guest. So...Hey Ho Let´s Go!!! RIP The Ramones.
USA National Anthem - And to finish up this very special day for all Americans, today, here is Slash performing Star Spangled Banner, solo.
1895 - The American patriotic song, America the Beautiful was first published, with lyrics written by Katharine Lee Bates, and music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward. Bates originally wrote the words as a poem entitled Pikes Peak, and first published it in the July 4th edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895, entitled simply America. Years later, 1910, Ward's music combined with Bates' poem was then published and re-titled America the Beautiful. The song is one of the most beloved and popular of the many American patriotic songs. So much so, that every now and then it has been proposed as a replacement for The Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem. Check out this totally awesome version by Ray Charles - with a knockout, funny introduction by Ray.
1942 - My, my, my, how things can change in just 60 years. This is the day the Irving Berlin musical, This is the Army, opened at New York's Broadway Theatre. They soon made a film of the musical, and used it as war propaganda footage. Here's a small excerpt from the movie, and totally jaw-dropping.
1964 - This is the day The Rolling Stones' released one of their big hits of the day, Tell Me, a self-penned ballad. This is the full-tilt original band, 47 years ago, with Brian Jones leading the band. This video is taken from their appearance on the Red Skelton Show which was partially pre-recorded, showcasing Skelton's comedy routines as is the case with this video. Skelton is seen doing the pogo with screaming Stones fans. Here we have the band doing three songs, all hits of the day; Tell Me, Carol and It's All Over Now.
1976 - It's July 4, and Elton John released a duet with the delightful Kiki Dee. Don't Go Breaking My Heart was a fun song, with Elton at his corniest best, nevertheless, with a perfect pop song, and introducing Kiki Dee for the first time. She was a mighty fine singer but it must've been very difficult for her, bursting on to the scene with a #1 hit, first up. This is a video from New York, live, and Ms. Dee looks and sound just delicious here, and listen to the crowd. Love you Kiki.
1980 - The Beach Boys gave a free outdoor performance to an estimated 500,000 people in Washington, DC, on this occasion of July 4, Independence Day, 31 years ago. Here's a few songs from the show, live, proving how good the Beach Boys were. The set includes the brilliant God Only Knows. Can you spot Brian?
1982 - Ozzy Osbourne married his manager, Sharon Arden, whom he first met when she was just 18 years old. Sharon was working for her father, the notorious Don Arden, who managed Black Sabbath, amongst many other acts, including The Small Faces. When Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Sharon Osbourne took over his management from the Arden organization and then started to date Ozzy. Sharon coordinated the recruitment of a technically gifted backing band featuring Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley, and Lee Kerslake, for the recording of The Blizzard of Ozz and, by engaging proven songwriters, helped Ozzy launch what became a highly successful solo career. Don Arden's reputation in the music industry was as a thug bully. Daisley contributed bass and backing vocals as well as songwriting and co-production on the record. He also played and wrote much of the material on the follow-up album Diary of a Madman but both he and drummer Lee Kerslake were fired before the album was released. Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge appeared in their place in the artwork and credits of that album. Daisley and Kerslake successfully sued Jet Records and Don Arden in 1986 for performance royalties and to have their performance credits reinstated on both those recordings. Litigation with regards to these albums continued in 1998 when Daisley and Kerslake sued the Osbournes (who unknown to Daisley and Kerslake had purchased the early albums' publishing rights) for unpaid performance royalties and accreditation. This is how cut-throat the music industry is.
1990 - It's 21 years to the day since 2 Live Crew released their single, Banned in the U.S.A. Brilliant song, brave in execution, and the sentiments so, so true. The paradox of USA, but freedom of speech is its biggest triumph.
1995 - One of the great rock'n'roll bands, The Ramones, released Adios Amigos today, 16 years ago. They were stamped as punk, but for me they were classic, four-on-the-floor, straight-up rock'n'roll. The Ramones played their last European Shows in Germany, and this show in Berlin is filmed by a TV-Station with an interview of Joey Ramone. Following that, their very final performance ever, with a special surprise guest. So...Hey Ho Let´s Go!!! RIP The Ramones.
USA National Anthem - And to finish up this very special day for all Americans, today, here is Slash performing Star Spangled Banner, solo.
