1964 - The Beatles did not always write their own magic songs, and in fact at the beginning, they did only cover versions, mostly written or performed by their idols at the time, and most of them from American rhythm and blues acts. This is the day the awesome foursome released their version of the rock classic, Matchbox backed with Slow Down. Slowdown was written by American rhythm and blues song writer and performer, Larry Williams, Matchbox by American pioneer rocker and song writer, Carl Perkins. So, here is the original from Carl, then a version done decades later by Carl, Ringo (who sang lead vocals on the Beatles' version), and Eric Clapton.
1968 - The Who's Keith Moon famously drove a Lincoln into the pool of a Holiday Inn in Michigan, today, and a legend began as he continued to out-do his own weird exploits. Moon gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, which he had modelled on his hero, Gene Krupa. Moon also gained notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname Moon the Loon. He is mentioned in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the greatest of all rock and roll drummers. Here he is…with goldfish inside his transparent drum kit.
1969 - Woody Guthrie was the dust bowl singer during the 20s and 30s in America's depression days, and as history records, was one of Bob Dylan's biggest musical-style influences. His son. Arlo, was always going to have a tough time of it following his father's footsteps, and to his credit, he chose his own road. it was 42 years ago today that Arlo Guthrie's movie, Alice's Restaurant, premiered in both New York and Los Angeles. Here's a trailer of the movie, introduced by Armo, himself.
1978 - As the seventies droned onwards with music becoming homogenous, as it regularly does, New Jersey local Bruce Springsteen was making such a splash with his home-grown take on rock'n'roll music with meaningful lyrics a la Bob Dylan, that Rolling Stone magazine published him on the front cover of their new edition, on the stands today. This is the very first television interview of Bruce Springsteen, and his first-ever concert footage on TV.
1979 - Bluesman B.B. King celebrated his 30th year in show business, tonight, at a special celebration held at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Strangely, no footage of the 'king of blues's big night don't seem to be available, so we go to this vintage footage of B.B King, filmed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag (The Hague), The Netherlands, 32 years ago.
1982 - Like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones' early material was mainly by American artists, and one of their very first hits, in 1964, was a song in case. The was Time Is On My Side, written by Jerry Ragovoy, under the pseudonym of Norman Meade. It was first recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra in 1963, then covered (with additional lyrics by Jimmy Norman) by both soul singer Irma Thomas, and then The Rolling Stones in 1964. The Stones had two versions, one with an organ, the other with a guitar solo, and the version here was also the soundtrack of the movie Fallen with Denzel Washington. The Stones did yet a third version of the song almost 20 years later, in 1982, on their album Still Life. The song was released as a single again. that version was released today, 29 years ago. Such is the life of a song. Following are the Rolling Stones' 1964 version, their 1982 live version, and then a bootleg of Irma Thomas's version, from just a few years ago, when she was aged 67 - around the same age as Jagger is today. Incidentally, Irma is known as the soul queen of New Orleans.
1983 - Jerry Lee Lewis has been n o stranger to sadness, destruction, death, controversy in his life, and today in 1983 was no exception when his wife, Shawn, was found dead at the couple's home in Mississippi. An autopsy revealed she died of a methadone overdose. For more information on other aspects of Jerry Lee's life, go to our archive search engine. Six years later, on the same day, The Who performed their rock-opera, Tommy, at the Universal Amphitheatre, with special guests Steve Winwood, Elton John, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle and Billy Idol. Here's a little bit of The Who joining together with Phil Collins as Uncle Ernie, then Billy Idol as Cousin Kevin.
1990 - It was ruled by a judge in Reno, Nevada, that the band Judas Priest was not responsible for the suicides of two youths after they had listened to the band's music, and on the same day up in New Jersey Sinead O'Connor refused to perform if the United States National Anthem was played before her show at the Garden State Arts Plaza, as was the custom. A patriotic uproar ensued which led to several radio stations banning her music. In 1994, Dave Abruzzese quit Pearl Jam and replaced by drummer Jack Irons. A ferry from Pearl Jam was Christina Aguilera, nine years later to the day, when she released her self-titled debut album. Do you remember this video from little Ms. A? Then a different version of the same song.
1968 - The Who's Keith Moon famously drove a Lincoln into the pool of a Holiday Inn in Michigan, today, and a legend began as he continued to out-do his own weird exploits. Moon gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, which he had modelled on his hero, Gene Krupa. Moon also gained notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname Moon the Loon. He is mentioned in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the greatest of all rock and roll drummers. Here he is…with goldfish inside his transparent drum kit.
1969 - Woody Guthrie was the dust bowl singer during the 20s and 30s in America's depression days, and as history records, was one of Bob Dylan's biggest musical-style influences. His son. Arlo, was always going to have a tough time of it following his father's footsteps, and to his credit, he chose his own road. it was 42 years ago today that Arlo Guthrie's movie, Alice's Restaurant, premiered in both New York and Los Angeles. Here's a trailer of the movie, introduced by Armo, himself.
1978 - As the seventies droned onwards with music becoming homogenous, as it regularly does, New Jersey local Bruce Springsteen was making such a splash with his home-grown take on rock'n'roll music with meaningful lyrics a la Bob Dylan, that Rolling Stone magazine published him on the front cover of their new edition, on the stands today. This is the very first television interview of Bruce Springsteen, and his first-ever concert footage on TV.
1979 - Bluesman B.B. King celebrated his 30th year in show business, tonight, at a special celebration held at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Strangely, no footage of the 'king of blues's big night don't seem to be available, so we go to this vintage footage of B.B King, filmed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag (The Hague), The Netherlands, 32 years ago.
1982 - Like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones' early material was mainly by American artists, and one of their very first hits, in 1964, was a song in case. The was Time Is On My Side, written by Jerry Ragovoy, under the pseudonym of Norman Meade. It was first recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra in 1963, then covered (with additional lyrics by Jimmy Norman) by both soul singer Irma Thomas, and then The Rolling Stones in 1964. The Stones had two versions, one with an organ, the other with a guitar solo, and the version here was also the soundtrack of the movie Fallen with Denzel Washington. The Stones did yet a third version of the song almost 20 years later, in 1982, on their album Still Life. The song was released as a single again. that version was released today, 29 years ago. Such is the life of a song. Following are the Rolling Stones' 1964 version, their 1982 live version, and then a bootleg of Irma Thomas's version, from just a few years ago, when she was aged 67 - around the same age as Jagger is today. Incidentally, Irma is known as the soul queen of New Orleans.
1983 - Jerry Lee Lewis has been n o stranger to sadness, destruction, death, controversy in his life, and today in 1983 was no exception when his wife, Shawn, was found dead at the couple's home in Mississippi. An autopsy revealed she died of a methadone overdose. For more information on other aspects of Jerry Lee's life, go to our archive search engine. Six years later, on the same day, The Who performed their rock-opera, Tommy, at the Universal Amphitheatre, with special guests Steve Winwood, Elton John, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle and Billy Idol. Here's a little bit of The Who joining together with Phil Collins as Uncle Ernie, then Billy Idol as Cousin Kevin.
1990 - It was ruled by a judge in Reno, Nevada, that the band Judas Priest was not responsible for the suicides of two youths after they had listened to the band's music, and on the same day up in New Jersey Sinead O'Connor refused to perform if the United States National Anthem was played before her show at the Garden State Arts Plaza, as was the custom. A patriotic uproar ensued which led to several radio stations banning her music. In 1994, Dave Abruzzese quit Pearl Jam and replaced by drummer Jack Irons. A ferry from Pearl Jam was Christina Aguilera, nine years later to the day, when she released her self-titled debut album. Do you remember this video from little Ms. A? Then a different version of the same song.
