1741 - Today's the day when classical composer, George Handel, completed Messiah (the Christmas song) in time for an orphan's charity concert. And we combine The London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra under the direction of Sir Adrian Boult, with views of the Sistine Chapel, and give you Handel's Messiah. Plus a second version with the Sydney Philharmonica choir performance of Messiah in Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
1814 - almost two centuries ago, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to American standard, Star-Spangled Banner. The song became the official U.S. national anthem on March 3, 1931, dear reader, and here's a short mini-doco on the author and circumstances surrounding the inspiration for him to write the lyrics. Watch this documentary and discover the amazing story behind a national treasure.
1927 - Popular screen, radio & recording artist during the mid 1920s into the 1930s was Gene Austin, who recorded My Blue Heaven today. Gene Austin was known as "the voice of the south land" and a pioneer in the crooning style of singing, embraced by Bing Crosby. A jazz artist at heart, Austin was equally at home singing country ballads, blues and spirituals. He had an improvisational style, obvious in his recordings, adding a unique sound to his interpretations. He also had hits with well-known popular songs such as Aint She Sweet, Bye Bye Blackbird, Love Letters In The Sand, and many more. From the motion picture Sadie McKee, After You've Gone, then Sweet Sue - nothing much has changed; he eyes the girls, the girls eye him.
1968 -This is the day the Archies cartoon series premiered on CBS television network in USA, the cartoon based on the comic book series. and this is their big hit of the day, Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.
1969 - Genesis played their first paid in Surrey, England, at a cottage owned by a Sunday school teacher, today. Through various manifestations, Genesis remain among the top 40 highest-selling recording artists of all time with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide. Genesis's music was initially regarded by the band, fans and critics as a pop experiment, referring to then-popular melodic pop. But with the release of their second album, Genesis quickly evolved into a progressive rock band with the incorporation of complex song structures and elaborate instrumentation, lobbing them closely in the circle of progressive rock exponents. Their concerts became theatrical experiences with innovative stage design, pyrotechnics, extravagant costumes and on-stage patter that elevated into solid lie tales. Some say Peter Gabriel was the Picasso of music, and this video shows that could be true, depending how you would define Picasso. Who else could get away with having a partially shaven head, play the flute, and dress up as a giant flower? Lady Gaga, four decades later, perhaps? Here is Genesis, with Peter Gabriel, performing Dancing with the Moonlit Knight, in 1973. Brilliant.
1976 - Jeff Beck's second album, Wired, went gold for the guitar virtuoso, today, proving instrumental guitar rock ruled for Beck. And here's a special live performance from Beck with Jan Hammer and Simon Phillips playing the classic song Blue Wind from Wired - then the Beatles' She's A Woman.
1979 - Kenny Rogers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, today, and Pink Floyd's movie, The Wall began production, on this day, two years later. My least favourite group ever would be Metallica, who tried to stop you downloading music from the internet, and made millions by doing so. Also on this day in 1983, this grubby group of egos introduced a new song, Disposable Heroes, at the Metal Hammer festival in Germany.
1985 - On this day in 1985, the MTV Awards were held for the first time, with Bette Midler and Dan Aykroyd co-hosting the show, and this was the day in 1991 that David Bowie's band, Tin Machine, released their second album "II." In 1994, the Temptations received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and deservedly so. My Girl, the group's 1964 song recorded for the Berry Gordy (Motown) label, became a #1 hit in 1965. Written and produced by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song became the Temptations' first U.S. #1 single, and will always be their signature song. The recorded version of My Girl was the first Temptations single to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. Previously, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams had performed most of the group's lead vocals, and Ruffin had joined the group as a replacement for former Temptation Elbridge "Al" Bryant.
1995 - Hand-written lyrics for Getting Better by Paul McCartney sold for $249,000 at a Sotheby's auction, tonight. We've heard the Beatles' version of this song for a few decades now, so howzabout this live performance on a BBC Radio 2 special documentary about the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album by the Beatles. Using original analogue 4-track equipment, Kaiser Chiefs and others recorded their own distinctive versions of classics from the album.
1814 - almost two centuries ago, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to American standard, Star-Spangled Banner. The song became the official U.S. national anthem on March 3, 1931, dear reader, and here's a short mini-doco on the author and circumstances surrounding the inspiration for him to write the lyrics. Watch this documentary and discover the amazing story behind a national treasure.
1927 - Popular screen, radio & recording artist during the mid 1920s into the 1930s was Gene Austin, who recorded My Blue Heaven today. Gene Austin was known as "the voice of the south land" and a pioneer in the crooning style of singing, embraced by Bing Crosby. A jazz artist at heart, Austin was equally at home singing country ballads, blues and spirituals. He had an improvisational style, obvious in his recordings, adding a unique sound to his interpretations. He also had hits with well-known popular songs such as Aint She Sweet, Bye Bye Blackbird, Love Letters In The Sand, and many more. From the motion picture Sadie McKee, After You've Gone, then Sweet Sue - nothing much has changed; he eyes the girls, the girls eye him.
1968 -This is the day the Archies cartoon series premiered on CBS television network in USA, the cartoon based on the comic book series. and this is their big hit of the day, Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.
1969 - Genesis played their first paid in Surrey, England, at a cottage owned by a Sunday school teacher, today. Through various manifestations, Genesis remain among the top 40 highest-selling recording artists of all time with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide. Genesis's music was initially regarded by the band, fans and critics as a pop experiment, referring to then-popular melodic pop. But with the release of their second album, Genesis quickly evolved into a progressive rock band with the incorporation of complex song structures and elaborate instrumentation, lobbing them closely in the circle of progressive rock exponents. Their concerts became theatrical experiences with innovative stage design, pyrotechnics, extravagant costumes and on-stage patter that elevated into solid lie tales. Some say Peter Gabriel was the Picasso of music, and this video shows that could be true, depending how you would define Picasso. Who else could get away with having a partially shaven head, play the flute, and dress up as a giant flower? Lady Gaga, four decades later, perhaps? Here is Genesis, with Peter Gabriel, performing Dancing with the Moonlit Knight, in 1973. Brilliant.
1976 - Jeff Beck's second album, Wired, went gold for the guitar virtuoso, today, proving instrumental guitar rock ruled for Beck. And here's a special live performance from Beck with Jan Hammer and Simon Phillips playing the classic song Blue Wind from Wired - then the Beatles' She's A Woman.
1979 - Kenny Rogers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, today, and Pink Floyd's movie, The Wall began production, on this day, two years later. My least favourite group ever would be Metallica, who tried to stop you downloading music from the internet, and made millions by doing so. Also on this day in 1983, this grubby group of egos introduced a new song, Disposable Heroes, at the Metal Hammer festival in Germany.
1985 - On this day in 1985, the MTV Awards were held for the first time, with Bette Midler and Dan Aykroyd co-hosting the show, and this was the day in 1991 that David Bowie's band, Tin Machine, released their second album "II." In 1994, the Temptations received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and deservedly so. My Girl, the group's 1964 song recorded for the Berry Gordy (Motown) label, became a #1 hit in 1965. Written and produced by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song became the Temptations' first U.S. #1 single, and will always be their signature song. The recorded version of My Girl was the first Temptations single to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. Previously, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams had performed most of the group's lead vocals, and Ruffin had joined the group as a replacement for former Temptation Elbridge "Al" Bryant.
1995 - Hand-written lyrics for Getting Better by Paul McCartney sold for $249,000 at a Sotheby's auction, tonight. We've heard the Beatles' version of this song for a few decades now, so howzabout this live performance on a BBC Radio 2 special documentary about the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album by the Beatles. Using original analogue 4-track equipment, Kaiser Chiefs and others recorded their own distinctive versions of classics from the album.
